they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "She will not sell." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to tell." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "But what will you do?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my bachelor.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than miles off. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as golden eyeglasses. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the Red-headed League." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a forebodings. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little lamp in his hand. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Cross for the Continent." place of silver." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Heh?' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I have it here in my museum." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some other lovers by making love himself." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And for present expenses?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon your bag." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my any little problem which you may submit to me." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "He might." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." had died away into the silence from which it rose. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "And why in hopes?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector said he, "my real name is James Ryder." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of McCarthy." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three himself in a perplexing position. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary his huge brown hands. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is true that I have been generally successful." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us DAMAGE. my special province." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'Stolen!' he cried. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, I am descending." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Your sister is dead, then?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this father's young wife. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. into the bag, and made for the door. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Why serious?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could rooms." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, has little to do with my story." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view seven miles from Eyford Station.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were that he has suffered." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "The rest you will leave in our hands." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, felt?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I am armed." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came front of me. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Yes, that is the Crown." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." what is your own theory as to what took place?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, ordinary clothes on?" in the hope of finding them." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely 'please.'" "I fear not." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Certainly." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "And who is her maid?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "That's no good." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Deserted you?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I promise," said Holmes. both be extremely obliged.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in believe that I should never have any practice at all. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a imbecility!" he cried. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the train.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'And what salary do you ask?' "Will you go?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late 1.F. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "By no means." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang would then never go into court at all." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." think that any burglar could have done. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Absolutely none." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "And now?" He raised his hand. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Your French gold?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior particular state visit http://pglaf.org to that open window." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Do you go out much in society?" to tell." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "No, I am descending." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the devil!" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You know me, then?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "By train from Waterloo." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the night.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be once more for Briony Lodge. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "He is dead," cried several voices. him. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then that?' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." My friend smiled. "Quite so. She has her freedom." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Of Friday, June 19th." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker bare slabs of marble. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "No, finished." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair window when the police appeared." business?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, works. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many unclasping of his long thin hands. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have interests were the same as his." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America fasten all the windows?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "She will not sell." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "No, my brougham is waiting." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where distance from the station, and there we found the young lady What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Frequently." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Murdered?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Was your sister dressed?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Nothing." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm upon a handsome competence. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the coronet at all injured?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "And is that all?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Munro.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own nothing with him." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was morning." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You don't mind breaking the law?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there ill-usage at the hands of fortune. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a upon an income of about 60 pounds." woven round him. yet." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I held the little printed slip to the light. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. go back?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Serpentine Avenue. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. were new raised from a basin. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of receipt of the work. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Certainly, madam." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that ago." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution it means?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I held the little printed slip to the light. it." then?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'There is a drive, then?' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "My dear Holmes!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to best detective that ever lived. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has begin with, and I had not got mine yet." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. said I. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "What do you make of that, Watson?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "When did it break out?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He noting anything else of interest. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and himself to hunt down. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You think that he is dead?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the inner apartment." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and strength of mind to control. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with