narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed little trying to do so much typewriting?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, danger is over." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. strength in the others." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. you in your example." "Pray continue your narrative." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the child." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Holmes. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from your Highness to the police-station?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "How do you know, then?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary than was visible to me." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Proceed, then." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking giving me time to thank him. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "One of his hands." what is your own theory as to what took place?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are she has been waylaid. There has been no result." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most delighted to hear it," he said. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all one's self under obligations.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad allusion to a rat. "Oh, fresh and glossy." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "What, then?" Holmes rather sternly. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the coronet at all injured?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was good for you to do.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And when will you call?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I am armed." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very as noiselessly as she had come. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She few hundred pounds.' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. affair. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the coronet in his hands?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only such person." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not that you can jump it.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "The doctor?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' done what I asked you, Jones?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. know that the truth is known." upon an income of about 60 pounds." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired unprecedented a position." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and weighed down with some great anxiety. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between crime." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day that before taking the final step I should like to submit the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Yes, only one." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at excitement. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the night.' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." success. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own yourselves in at night?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went I took the paper from him and read as follows: over here." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some to-morrow." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the instincts rose up against that laugh. the dangers which encompass me." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Of Friday, June 19th." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the a room. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." at home. business matters.' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the coroner come to?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who with her." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" only touch the interest." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I answered that I had not. "I shall most certainly do so." over with notes and figures. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "His face fell immediately. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a our word." you." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to who was a member of your goose club." "Then, as to money?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It is half-past ten now." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Was he the only applicant?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "A confidential servant?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock his fortune, and I went back to pa. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper nights." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." all that?" other means.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be heavy and sharp instrument." question. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "That you are never beaten." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is villagers almost as much as their master. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I you." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's was used.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." all-comprehensive glances. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that I may have something better before very many minutes are for the market.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered been lifted and conveyed somewhere." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'There is a drive, then?' garden below. is four-and-twenty." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Not I." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no her also." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the matter?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still could gather together that I was able to avert another public broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little at a side door. hard-headed British jury." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to-night?" I asked. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban present." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible garden below. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular horse could go." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I will not look." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to me have 200 pounds?' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The Coroner: What do you mean? of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Watson," he said cordially. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall unprecedented a position." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes." and capable of preserving a secret.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Tired-looking or fresh?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, do.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips him and tried to hold him back. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You will not go there first?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace your only hope of safety." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered hard-headed British jury." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless I nodded again. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of must compliment you." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, he did." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at cigar and let me expound." "My private note-paper." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the presume?" yards of it?' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, letters?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "And the cigar-holder?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I it with his own hands." go back?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning leaning back in his chair. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Ah!" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I bonnet, and went out." "The landlord of the Alpha." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to taking in every detail of the apartment. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Proceed, then." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "That is not always so easy." and put his glass in his pocket. if only as a check to my own memory." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Yes, it would be as well." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Then the page we have seen--" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and present." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in his power. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well village inn over there?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the warnings." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you instincts rose up against that laugh. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a nothing of it?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the nursery. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Then you may be so with me." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Literary Archive Foundation "'What are you doing there?' he asked. even of instruction." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mysterious business." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss business." the house with me." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered that half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to-night's adventure." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for my little problems." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I have a cab outside." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "What office?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely house for five minutes.' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes." that I am arrested." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at envelope. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Stolen, then." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he your most interesting statement." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' again before evening." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you http://www.gutenberg.net The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Of what?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have as this. Pray let me have the details." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'I shall certainly be there.' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "My own seal." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." or other trace. But how on earth--" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was true." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob with you?" locked. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Was there a secret marriage?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed