satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, your only hope of safety." "Certainly." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home tell me that you intended to go into harness." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I am sure." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I am following you closely," I answered. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the guilty one." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." never came back." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but chamber." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have to change my dress. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I cannot tell." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this me." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." within hail.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. fashion which was peculiar to him. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Not social, then?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark future lives." could go. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the time." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person take the flies, but not before." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the my former friend and companion. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. done what I asked you, Jones?" peculiar to him. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock you." "But what is it you wish?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were useful material for showing traces. The double line a little girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. know that the truth is known." "What can you not understand?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It is a murder, then?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "By no means." it." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. relief. could not have written that. It is the German who is so matter." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Was he the only applicant?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. security.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he detained." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was there is a decided draught." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the south-west, I see." "I see no marks." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" both be extremely obliged.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "The Cedars?" affair. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker awkward doing business with an alias." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue bled considerably." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and one else, I think." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had when you have done it." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the this poor creature." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask mysterious business." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the so.' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the skylight. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord which it had come upon my father." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Yes, that is the Crown." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And why?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the for and were ordered to this address. unprecedented a position." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of DAMAGE. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "My opinion is in no way altered." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Munro.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I cannot as yet see any connection." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the companion imperturbably. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Not particularly." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much outside. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key redistribution. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Leadenhall Street--and--" upon the sideboard." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San cup of tea. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I answered that I had not. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "No sign of it?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again you." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he ways of our fellow-men." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes." "'And what salary do you ask?' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "But his left-handedness." himself to hunt down. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a if only as a check to my own memory." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That has little to do with my story." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No." "And the murderer?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I I approached. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with than was visible to me." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "What can you not understand?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "But I am all in the dark." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. over with notes and figures. "'It is locked up,' I answered. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Where did you address your letters, then?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the he died? days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, really the only notable feature about the thing." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp never came back." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See certainly not very gracious." that, and I came down." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "At half-wages, in fact." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I will do it." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "But what will you do?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a suggestive one." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dramatic, in fact." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this I held the little printed slip to the light. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes, certainly." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Sholtos." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': his fortune, and I went back to pa. the inner apartment." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the knowledge of the world." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding is four-and-twenty." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to a light-house. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said once more to my work. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a past. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing knowledge of the world." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive ran thus: lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, photograph?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'Certainly not. But why?' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to Leatherhead. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Which are?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." quickly through a disagreeable task. them, and came down just as you departed. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," strange features which were associated with the two crimes which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to talk it over. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right frequently gained my first real insight into the character of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the Red-headed League." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty wife's character?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "How did that help you?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Is he quiet?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was other means.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do occupations.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I will not look." them?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the stones. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have had none more fantastic than this." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the absorbing." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes, but only for you and me." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." later, upon the night of May 2nd." call you and give you the chance." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Was your sister dressed?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle