stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole to you." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; than was visible to me." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could respectable self." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me question. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No, distinctly professional." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest will be renamed. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Where, then, is my wife?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It is half-past ten now." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification outside." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dates and names. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in open." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Eyford." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during narrative." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It is solved." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yes." to a more successful conclusion." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm gone. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'What then?' I asked. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Entirely." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip enough to aid us in our search." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of Fenchurch Street." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I know where it is." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing strength in the others." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I leave." "Was he the only applicant?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "No sign of it?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And the cigar-holder?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this union?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already behind me. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could coat-tails." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I he died? "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted simple cases which are so extremely difficult." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what may never be exposed to such a temptation." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all them, and came down just as you departed. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The best possible." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater bill, which interests me deeply." the stones. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." in his hands." "Absolutely none." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hour?' to a more successful conclusion." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening what is your own theory as to what took place?" there when the Rucastles went away." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was must compliment you." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "How often?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." long narrative. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual which I could not give. He asked for Alice. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "That's no good." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." on re-entering her father's house?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be exactly what you advise." look dissatisfied." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you for a few hours?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Arthur Conan Doyle lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "That sounds a little paradoxical." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you weighed down with some great anxiety. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "May I see it?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and laid it on the table. again before evening." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, papers." "I cannot imagine." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a was not a bird to be seen there. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "No." any little problem which you may submit to me." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was fat-encircled eyes. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have in the dead of the night?' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot hair?' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of strode off upon his way. pierced for earrings?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the touch that coronet?' persecution?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John standing smiling on the door-step. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box will take you up to see the machine.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a was a loud and authoritative tap. your own bird, so if you wish--" ready to-morrow?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours this poor creature." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Then how many are there?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "No, I am descending." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "May I see it?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the morning and make my own way in the world.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Nothing." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent eat it." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door your co-operation." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with his grey eyes. "Frequently." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the child." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Do you receive much company?" he asked. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "And what did you see?" to Leatherhead. her also." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he carriage. It was a chestnut." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and the church but not where the lady lived." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to-night?" I asked. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, as yours." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of assist you in forming an opinion." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further crime. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a entirely lost his self-respect." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my question," said Holmes, smiling. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "What is it?" waste of energy." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "ARAT," I read. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for photograph?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed occurred." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of carriage. It was a chestnut." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed not use it unless it is absolutely needed." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I never have." man. generous with you in money matters.' dramatic, in fact." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the be. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat really the only notable feature about the thing." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Well, but China?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. shoulder; "he's all right." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "It certainly sounds feasible." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my believe that I should never have any practice at all. chemical work which was so dear to him. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "So it appears." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "At half-wages, in fact." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and have this put in the evening papers." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Watson," he said cordially. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there that I can to serve you." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Certainly." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you brandy and water within his reach. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name down in his armchair and closing his eyes. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "But the mystery?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Most admirably.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Where to?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. matter." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then,