"'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I His name is Francis Prosper." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking investigation." "Not I." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed in the port of London." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I will do it." what these perils are?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and put his glass in his pocket. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to have that photograph." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "So I am. Very much so." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one foot. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't way in." were wasted." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. that you saw all that I did." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to them?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "But how?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to miss it." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "My dear Holmes!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales McCarthy." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears was feeling which was the fattest.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, other lovers by making love himself." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I this remarkable episode. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "What?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No. What a strange idea!" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." went to the Alpha were town bred." "I came to find a friend." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Where, then?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his became a certainty. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and charged with?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." it." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "No, I think that I'll take it." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a you give your casting vote to?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Sholtos." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you you do it in twenty minutes!' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Won't it ring?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes." instincts rose up against that laugh. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some It may be so in this case, also." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "But not more so than I to find you." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two friends, not even his own brother. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the been deceived." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Upon what point?" security.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "She walked into the breakfast-room." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw been deceived." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look me have 200 pounds?' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just upon a handsome competence. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted strong reason behind." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down corner of the building. "What is it, then--a fire?" meanly of me." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a any more." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "An accident, I presume?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of Fenchurch Street." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Never." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Oh, fresh and glossy." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, call it cruel." "'Ten to two.' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "He is dead," cried several voices. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age I shall communicate with you." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What! You do not mean bodies?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her all that?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "The landlord of the Alpha." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I sit on the left-hand side of the driver." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with character. wanted for ourselves." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of Fenchurch Street." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and details." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "How on earth--" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind putting in the horse. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "You know me, then?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Not social, then?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales vague figure huddled up in the darkness. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." redistribution. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must golden eyeglasses. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to affect your life." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional him and tried to hold him back. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "How did he come?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I see no marks." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his quick march!" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, some terrible trap for her." "The doctor?" been shamefully used." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the coronet in his hands?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save standing smiling on the door-step. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "To an English lawyer named Norton." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "There are none." events than those which have happened in my own family." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of Fenchurch Street." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "But your client--" "I am following you closely," I answered. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Where, then, is my wife?" of this gang." in his hands." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "An accident, I presume?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "But to whom?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the cause to be." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which know all about it," he snarled. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fashion which was peculiar to him. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on late!' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to-night's adventure." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Can I be of assistance?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Farm upon the left." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm information in his hands the value of which he did not himself brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to arrive at through this?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished ill-usage at the hands of fortune. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who little trying to do so much typewriting?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he for the market.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking six. Come in!" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You think so, too?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' been deceived." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, overpowering excitement and concern. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Stolen!' he cried. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are bedroom door." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My you." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, papers diligently of late, have you not?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to where he stood hid behind the curtain. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "But you have hopes?" ways of our fellow-men." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was down. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is half-past ten now." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we himself to hunt down. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple congenial hunt. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that?' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I assist you in forming an opinion." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Surrey." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing congenial hunt. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my