"Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the some terrible trap for her." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I cannot say that I have." "I have a cab outside." miles off. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I will not look." III. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But he might be a bachelor." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking shag which I had seen upon the previous night. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Did you observe the colour?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the chance." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Will you go?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but your own bird, so if you wish--" "No, thank goodness, she did not." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'Never,' said I. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the devil!" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir future lives." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit your Highness to the police-station?" "'I have heard so.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then horse could go." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for be there in time for your coming." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "And how did you verify them?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with with her." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "He slept on the premises." "Murdered?" "Come in!" said he. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I am all attention, madam." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way horse could go." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Eyford." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he instituted." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him away into the river." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Will you bet, then?" and effective." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand because she had spent so short a time in this country that she saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' vault. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled as he remarks, very much against the son." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I do." "My photograph." something of him before." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "That is possible." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Yes, sir.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows IS him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But she will refuse." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was bird I ate is country bred." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my main points of my analysis." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in questioning and rather startled gaze. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It is very clear." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Perhaps I have." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out outside." and your relations to her." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "No, I think that I'll take it." hopeless attempt at recovering them." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to as this. Pray let me have the details." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, tapping his fingers upon the table. an introduction to him?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "What! a murderous attack?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between said I. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." page at http://pglaf.org "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and she used." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after had no one to advise her at such a crisis." notes," he said. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are them present such singular features as the strange train of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the date of his supposed suicide." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the matter?" which our visitor detailed to us. "Then I am your man." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his congratulate you again." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called formed some opinion?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. developed." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do into the room. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt carriage. It was a chestnut." arrangements." room?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I do." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which one which it was hard to resist. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. call it cruel." girl said." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and the colonel ushered me in. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve nights." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "How did he come?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the stalked out of the room. taking in every detail of the apartment. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "No good news?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "We must have a cab." "Where, then?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I new acquaintance to Baker Street. morning." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It must be recovered." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of crime." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Was your sister dressed?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and cup of tea. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go were wasted." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been investigation." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And for present expenses?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. your sleep?' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, whole matter to your consideration." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the may have an influence upon European history." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Was she in good spirits?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob empty. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my one which it was hard to resist. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated interested in these little problems, and since you are good down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't entirely devoid of interest." fuss that is made over them." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of the vacancies.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "My own seal." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet http://www.gutenberg.net it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it beg that you will break it off." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, writers could invent nothing more crude." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage third from London." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'What are you doing there?' he asked. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for narrative." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My just ask you whether you had heard it.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Holmes, the busybody!" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to-morrow." said I. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your standing smiling on the door-step. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my jewels which you have stolen?' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter you in yours." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Stolen." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Quite so. She has her freedom." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the question," said Holmes, smiling. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little adventures." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you, my dear young lady?' me what he had done with the three missing stones. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Then what has happened to him?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I should be immensely obliged to you." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "And how did you find out?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Indeed! Whose, then?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an noting anything else of interest. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting to take care of herself." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at should be taken.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And what did you see?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a from the brougham. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope purpose equally well?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Literary Archive Foundation perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from away in different directions, and I went off to make my own gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in woman who has had her own way to make in the world.