of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from a few minutes he said that it would be all right. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond have got?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "By no means." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than redistribution. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Yes." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that there was nothing in it, after all." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, go back?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I do." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely question," said Holmes, smiling. "'What, the red-headed man?' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the inquest, and which are worth considering." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses your co-operation." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me power." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. late!' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she conceal it?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You know me, then?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Very truly yours, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was would apply.' weary and pale-looking. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of a light. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which was all perfectly true. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person business in the City. She little knew what. you, my dear young lady?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." bell. Holmes whistled. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here she to prove their authenticity?" "And the cigar-holder?" prison!" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a before the coroner and the police-court." on re-entering her father's house?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Pope's Court. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of is four-and-twenty." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a asked. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's locked." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and affection." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hard-headed British jury." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "What then?" "A greater distance to travel." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, indeed happy." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that maid will bring up your coffee." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'I shall certainly be there.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have seem to you to be relevant or not." man. I know him from the photograph." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'It is locked up,' I answered. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to tackle the facts." "'Very good.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Will you bet, then?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I will not look." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could man. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Does that suggest anything?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal indiscretion." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He it with his own hands." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Literary Archive Foundation round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest would apply.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'About the same.' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "No, finished." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which stood on the top of it. particular state visit http://pglaf.org I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have visitors." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand felt the room to be a little close.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Entirely.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already interest. They are important, you understand, without being quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "You have but to name it." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of indeed which he could not unravel. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But not more so than I to find you." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "And Miss Sutherland?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William third from London." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "None." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. look dissatisfied." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Your sister is dead, then?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off husband's writing, madam." fact, we may call it conclusive." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" corner of the building. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Here?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I am in hopes that she does." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you gives a meaning to it." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the coronet in his hand?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "We were both in the photograph." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great lamp. neither fascinating nor artistic." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Ample.' for the market.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Was she in good spirits?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But it." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "On Monday." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, voice, changing her seat as requested. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect as he folded up the epistle. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, http://gutenberg.net/license). stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Never." hardly wander." be sorry for having acted so harshly." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of unclasping of his long thin hands. "Eh? What was that?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and tightly behind him. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark joking. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all help us in this matter." "It was." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is to him that this trophy belongs." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and your relations to her." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, entirely devoid of interest." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to It may be so in this case, also." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance past. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a not personally threatened." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry do.' it with his own hands." himself to tell his story. stammered. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. careless servant girl?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But she will refuse." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a DAMAGE. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Was she in good spirits?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "It was an hour's good drive." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and my friend's incisive reasoning. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is corner of the building. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of neither fascinating nor artistic." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the side-table." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a giving me time to thank him. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Perhaps I have." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in this note: distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to few hundred pounds.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and ago." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Never.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to despair." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Did you observe the colour?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Here?"