police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." do." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "That is unusual in a young girl." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible strong reason behind." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or better grown goose." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out yourselves in at night?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let The telegram which we eventually received came late one night days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, instituted." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and 1.E.9. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, eavesdroppers?' will take you up to see the machine.' go back?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by never came back." row." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old fait accompli?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the driver. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. washing it down with a long draught of water. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it your most interesting statement." do." than to us. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought next day. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection once more on the important position which you have been fortunate slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come visitors." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It is possible." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own British peeress.'" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or more solid." and looked back. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls fashion which was peculiar to him. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Very. But will he see it?" sneer upon his pale face. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But it has twice been burgled." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Yes." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any friend's singular character. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might is entirely a question of barometric pressure." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The murder was done with it." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. arrested. You then--" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I emerged. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The Cedars?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "The vanishing of the lady." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; my little problems." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The again." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed young Openshaw's." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and wait." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Yes." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to digesting their breakfasts at home." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations all?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been all?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing outbreak?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction few hundred pounds.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Absolutely none." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where as he remarks, very much against the son." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted your only hope of safety." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "To the police?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest This is what he says: have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our a very grave face. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I will get her to show me." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal memory. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the nursery. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and wedding?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main noting anything else of interest. client, rising. this as likely?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. introspective fashion. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late directors have had misgivings upon the subject." stepfather?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double possible that we could bring him back to her? The events in question occurred in the early days of my once more to my work. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Perfectly so." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to me. despaired of." think that he is innocent?" open." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which unclasping of his long thin hands. was used.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you John Swain, of St. Augustine. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was roused himself from his reverie. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between to-morrow." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and as he remarks, very much against the son." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling II. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" when you have done it." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single during which he might have communicated with his friend the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "The best possible." "It's nothing of the kind." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But I am all in the dark." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" heavily into it. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You have a clue?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent problems help me to do so." advice." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily appeared upon the scene." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, 11:15.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps done what I asked you, Jones?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Won't it ring?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Count Von Kramm." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Very good.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Why did you beat the pavement?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the status with the IRS. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I rat could hardly pass through." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. good for you to do.' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing not come at once?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "What will you do, then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. is four-and-twenty." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most your only hope of safety." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. do.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. hurried away. him, that man would not have given me such complete information is now desirous of getting those letters back." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her introspective fashion. in his hands." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the salesman. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but this poor creature." flock.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "None." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger strong and stiff." interests were the same as his." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It was." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to affect your life." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the best of training." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present I shall communicate with you." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." bird I ate is country bred." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But your client--" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the morning and make my own way in the world.' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered morning." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I say it is." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And for present expenses?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you occurred." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" arrested. You then--" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary it." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two what I may call a really hard day's work." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the spare." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. girl said." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to me. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and together. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s.