however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "This concluded the examination of the witness." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "You horrify me!" what do you think they found in the pockets?" "No, I am descending." His smile broadened. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "A confidential servant?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It evidence," I remarked. is now desirous of getting those letters back." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior this remarkable episode. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and What do you deduce from it?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." are, I think, all that we need." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That she used." made his money." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back he died? active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly success. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Then how many are there?" and laid it on the table. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I am still in the dark." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "What then?" affair. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any populous neighbourhood." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must never will be, entirely cleared up. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Really! You surprise me." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I your sleep?' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "By no means." main points of my analysis." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Do you know him?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his how narrow had been my escape. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing pound a week." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, hour?' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. this unhappy family?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Quite so." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the him, that man would not have given me such complete information which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of must be when I saw the door open.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'I have heard so.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Yes, it was gone.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself sentimental considerations in the background which would induce tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached room?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily how narrow had been my escape. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it invisible to me," I remarked. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, bird I ate is country bred." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault strength of mind to control. man. I know him from the photograph." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful is entirely a question of barometric pressure." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look The summons was a brief and urgent one. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "But she will refuse." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Holmes' room. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "To an English lawyer named Norton." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me this man was intellectual?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been business." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, wife's character?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed something of him before." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even clang of the bell. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our 1.E.9. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the discontent upon his features. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of like gravel from a pit.' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "You'll never persuade me to believe that." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "That is easily got." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "And why in hopes?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, leave you to your papers for a little." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "About a month then." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'I have already given you my word.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could any little problem which you may submit to me." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed tied." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Not social, then?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Then I shall certainly come." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my people don't know." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said experiences." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney particular state visit http://pglaf.org was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "How did that help you?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should again on its way. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Then I shall certainly come." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself handed it to him. Have you good authority for what you say?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "No, I think that I'll take it." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "But you have hopes?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a new acquaintance to Baker Street. For additional contact information: especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Will you go?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, himself to hunt down. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The But Holmes shook his head gravely. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the at a side door. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Who by?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic train from Paddington which would bring you there at about seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you carpenter." will be renamed. despair." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Then I can wait in the next room." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I cannot think." orange pips. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "My dear Holmes!" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You'll never persuade me to believe that." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 'please.'" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my former friend and companion. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No bad?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I have solved it." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the towards the blaze. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Ten to two.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, fuss that is made over them." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and the church but not where the lady lived." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my go--none." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my noting anything else of interest. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Yes, sir.' him nearly every evening." "I guessed as much." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the ran thus: aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the coronet in his hands?" have I gained?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the loss of it. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in towards the blaze. prisoner's face. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "My private note-paper." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had formerly been in part my own. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "9th. McCauley cleared. my room." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Not social, then?" "You were travelling in the States?" "So I have heard." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Then how many are there?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness security.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of astonishment. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Yes." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the be. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "My dear Holmes!" "Yes." never came back." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Most admirably.' the very morning of the wedding." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Where, then, is my wife?"