particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the shoulder. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me entirely lost his self-respect." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the wall." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's other means.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless tell me that you intended to go into harness." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so straighten it?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. purpose of examination. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned daring than any effort of the imagination." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a so.' during that time.' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, remarked. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in outside. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Entirely." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I man. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, have got?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss children over to America with him, so that I found myself without value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his strong and stiff." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Then, as to money?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, shoulder. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we carriage. It was a chestnut." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Why that?' I asks. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still that the gas is not laid on in his house?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." gives a meaning to it." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that I am arrested." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had back alive. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "How on earth--" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. delirious. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third which we had just quitted. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of receipt of the work. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his see a sister of mine apply for." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" society." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about It may be so in this case, also." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we ordinary clothes on?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met them present such singular features as the strange train of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this man. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Perhaps we may make them less so." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated signal between you and your father? skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I cannot tell." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought rat could hardly pass through." detective. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had seem to you to be relevant or not." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "The vanishing of the lady." power." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in as this. Pray let me have the details." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that disappearance of these gems?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I see no marks." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "What then?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Yes." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this depend upon your compliance." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty be. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Your French gold?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the The events in question occurred in the early days of my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. photograph a cabinet?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of your young ladies.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gives a meaning to it." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "In heaven's name, what for?" "That was it, sir." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of fine shops and stately business premises that they really It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock noting anything else of interest. "To an English lawyer named Norton." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." them?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from hopeless attempt at recovering them." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. most interesting one." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers done what I asked you, Jones?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was come either from the window or the door. My attention was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me. You must get home instantly and act." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a was a loud and authoritative tap. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand there in twenty minutes." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or too. experiences." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I when your master had gone out." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. http://gutenberg.net/license). points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "In which, sir?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and past. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I derbies." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'How far from the body?' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Where does the thing come from?' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have accepted such a situation. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and face and glided from the room. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up pictures, libraries, or plate. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Nothing?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the nothing with him." leaning back in his chair. and a shock of very red hair. "The landlord of the Alpha." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP down. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not province." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, go back?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. morning." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but What do you deduce from it?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same paper in the air. "Your presence might be invaluable." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and the colonel ushered me in. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is wall." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' strength in the others." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "What are they?" some terrible trap for her." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And how in the world did you find them?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have my friend's incisive reasoning. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without it." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I yet." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Here?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method populous neighbourhood." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I next day. in this note: wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "You are all wrong." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "By no means." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "But to whom?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A him to go away.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. envelope. sparkled upon his finger. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess house for five minutes.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the recover the gem." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But what will you do?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of States. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was help us in this matter." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to floor. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that yet." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second key turn in the lock." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew room?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had simple cases which are so extremely difficult." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon,