humiliation." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. said he. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Precisely." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At The note was undated, and without either signature or address. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Chief Executive and Director came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was had a long day." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "But you can know nothing of this?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Where did he live, then?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the very morning of the wedding." you understand?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as your equipment. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Frequently." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "They are typewritten," I remarked. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much affection." infinite languor in his face. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was possible that we could bring him back to her? Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to will not take me long to tell. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Did you observe the colour?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular than was visible to me." indeed which he could not unravel. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I will do it." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "But you can know nothing of this?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'Is purely nominal.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and capable of preserving a secret.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to-night?" I asked. "Whose house is it?" made his money." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and footfalls from the street. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the coronet at all injured?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the coroner come to?" chambers. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hand, madam?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to existence." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight you came in." "The Cedars?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'I shall certainly be there.' "How did you trace it, then?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "But your client--" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Yes." in the port of London." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "You did not overhear what they said?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Yes, the wine-cellar." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "What then?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Won't it ring?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes, sir." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told over with notes and figures. "Where, indeed?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises himself to hunt down. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to where we are going." "Well, it is a possible supposition." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the appointment with me for six o'clock?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very never came back." "I will get her to show me." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. imbecility!" he cried. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically conduct the inquiry." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It must be recovered." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP The note was undated, and without either signature or address. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "The murder was done with it." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Is purely nominal.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that maiden herself was most instructive." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began address. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and business." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement against a man in the prime of life?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it remarked. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass six. Come in!" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, congratulate you again." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate most important business. It is probable that he will be away all What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It looks newer than the other things?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was my secret was safe in his possession. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a happened." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never you." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Not in the least." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of this gang." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six foot. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, straightened it out again. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "What will you say?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the married her." page at http://pglaf.org time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my it means?" towards the blaze. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw this as likely?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Two days later this same performance was gone through under no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend such person." "You are all wrong." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to will not take me long to tell. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "What!" he roared. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Why did you pick him?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my do.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point some city in a dream. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes, from Horsham." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "What?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed photograph a cabinet?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just did not hear it also.' "'Very good.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what married her." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point business?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be particular state visit http://pglaf.org whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "And how did you find out?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I have hopes." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in prisoner's face. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not sofa. This way, please!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And that I can to serve you." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker such attractions and accomplishments?' to arrive at through this?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a as yours." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried could not have written that. It is the German who is so your Highness to the police-station?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked made him keep the appointment." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my strength in the others." "Upon what point?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is you do it in twenty minutes!' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. goes." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Did you become engaged then?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Very. But will he see it?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Stolen!' he cried. "Then I am your man." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I don't say that. Perhaps." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Street. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Nothing?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the general public were present, then?" business matters.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. suddenly upon us." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Heh?' late!' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the placed his cuttings. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "He said too much." "But your client--" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of thin legs towards the fire. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my papers diligently of late, have you not?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Murdered?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates