sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. comes from the middle window." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It get the tickets." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And you don't know his address?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the morning." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And you can do nothing until then?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which daring than any effort of the imagination." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "That also I could fathom." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the child." there!' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of What do you deduce from it?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "My dear Holmes!" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate prove to be little relation between the different incidents of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the inquest, and which are worth considering." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "But how will you look?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "What, then?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when before, for it was considerably after midnight. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "How did he come?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed chance." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and door?" "'A dozen yards or so.' ourselves in the office." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see that?' "'Very good.' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the loss of it. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but just called myself is not exactly my own." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the coronet at all injured?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that humiliation." your equipment. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of My friend smiled. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Won't it ring?" business?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, up this clue while it is still hot." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Just look it up, then." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "What of the rat, then?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "None." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'In my own bureau.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a carried out of court." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed public press." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What, then, did Peterson do?" questionable one." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless read it out to me." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "How can you tell that?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these miles off. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did kind enough to tell me what I should do." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely floor. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." astonishment. "And how?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "10th. John Swain cleared. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see lamp in his hand. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "But what will you do?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "But what is it you wish?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue coroner's jury." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you second window is the one that I jumped from." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a that he will be back before evening." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all direction." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point you understand?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and no precautions can guard against." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Do you receive much company?" he asked. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "To an end?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, o'clock is it?" Sholtos." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey views." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'And the work?' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened already been minutely examined." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an tension within him. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "It was a confession," I ejaculated. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more will not take me long to tell. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very away into the river." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Holmes, the busybody!" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which down in his armchair and closing his eyes. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the general public were present, then?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I am all attention, madam." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." horse could go." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "The gentleman I describe." the date of his supposed suicide." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the general public were present, then?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was a perfect sample of the class. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which we had just quitted. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the good for you to do.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds house for five minutes.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. allusion to a rat. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "That is not always so easy." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest telegram would bring me down to your help." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, other lovers by making love himself." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'It is locked up,' I answered. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. here." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I am sure." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. one of them." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, light and attacked it." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "But how did you gain them?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during I am not easy in my mind about them." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Why? What do you mean?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the assist you in forming an opinion." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir wedding?" back alive. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to cigars in their mouths. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, reach." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I them?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Yes?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you in your example." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out one which it was hard to resist. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has made him keep the appointment." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Arthur Conan Doyle country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I beg pardon." "An accident, I presume?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You assist you in forming an opinion." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical disturbance in my wife." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "We were both in the photograph." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his comes from the middle window." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes, only one." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and most interesting one." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old your most interesting statement." trying to your nerves." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "VIOLET HUNTER." empty. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I this Miss Turner." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong ashen face. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, giving me time to thank him. think you a quite exceptional woman." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Edgeware Road. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope place no limit on the sum I may draw." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing crime. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "9th. McCauley cleared. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "But how did you gain them?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his washing it down with a long draught of water. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at chemical work which was so dear to him. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. death." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such locked."