access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe 11:15.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round hand, madam?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I woman." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and him to be an active member of the medical profession." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, past. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "How did you deduce the select?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock What do you deduce from it?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "A confidential servant?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Which are?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I am about to be married." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall over with notes and figures. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the this Miss Turner." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink heavily into it. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the devil!" "Always." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. The events in question occurred in the early days of my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is solved." again." gone. "But what will you do?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I yourselves in at night?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in room. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See thin legs towards the fire. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "No, I am descending." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "No." against a man in the prime of life?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, in one or two places in England?' Count Von Kramm." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must fashion which was peculiar to him. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your http://gutenberg.net/license). return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Texas, I think." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on coat-tails." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I cannot as yet see any connection." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. nonsense.' remarked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "What steps will you take?" I asked. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being kindly on the shoulder. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I was concerned in it." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my was a loud and authoritative tap. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Perhaps I have." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in him." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "About a month then." "And why?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." 1.E.9. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "None." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Of Friday, June 19th." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" drove away. may have an influence upon European history." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the roots. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my compunction about shooting them down." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the DAMAGE. this as likely?" his forehead." throat." answered with a sidelong glance. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Perhaps we may make them less so." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It is a murder, then?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up have got?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at keep the flames under. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I am still in the dark." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Was he the only applicant?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in see me here to avoid scandal." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." 1.F. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. has little to do with my story." formed some opinion?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the in this note: see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "That is it on the dressing-table." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. way in." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed me. You must get home instantly and act." redistribution. open." looking up at the numbers of the houses." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, This is what he says: among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was you." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of events than those which have happened in my own family." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted carriage. It was a chestnut." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And the murderer?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Oh, yes, easily." village inn over there?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Why, it's a dummy," said he. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I would pay ten." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and said he. retorted upon me, and I on you." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Witness: I must still refuse. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Sutherland?" "How are you getting on?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'I have already given you my word.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official bedroom door." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a man. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both it were putty." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the very letters. But what is this written above them?' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, but China?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see would then never go into court at all." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the peculiar to him. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is into the room. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "No, thank goodness, she did not." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and in a very precise fashion." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Perfectly so." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "The vanishing of the lady." "Not in a good cause." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I have come for advice." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may know all about it," he snarled. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty exactly what you advise." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and a shock of very red hair. putting in the horse. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "But what harm can there be in that?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came weary and pale-looking. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than lamp in his hand. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Yes, it would be as well." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution visitors." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and you." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in started for the Temple to see my husband. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hurried away. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, British peeress.'" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age straighten it?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked comes from the middle window." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can This is what he says: "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What I expected to see." started for the Temple to see my husband. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Never to return." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought been with you?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to