that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during that, and I came down." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Serpentine Avenue. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Is he quiet?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were went to the Alpha were town bred." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'What do you call purely nominal?' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Ah, but I was recommended to you." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those is worth.' "I shall be delighted." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling heavy and sharp instrument." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, cheerful." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every felt the room to be a little close.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Is purely nominal.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No strange features which were associated with the two crimes which entirely devoid of interest." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to a very grave face. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It's nothing of the kind." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Not in the least." "'Why that?' I asks. "So it appears." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying The telegram which we eventually received came late one night precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Nothing." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; death." to some other building. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that he will be back before evening." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin late!' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not is acting for the best. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at which it had come upon my father." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in three of the beryls in it, was missing. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Certainly." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His I held the little printed slip to the light. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the me. You must get home instantly and act." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven leaning back in his chair. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Really! You surprise me." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Which are?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" to affect your life." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back acted in my house last night?" "Yes." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brandy and water within his reach. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "By no means." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "My private note-paper." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that comes from the middle window." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And Miss Sutherland?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a all-comprehensive glances. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Never to return." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for maid will bring up your coffee." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his think, you have already met." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one address. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." heavily into it. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern o'clock is it?" "My dear Holmes!" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Street. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" arrested. You then--" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Stolen!' he cried. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be which are rolled in Rotterdam." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Not yet." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I shall most certainly do so." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'A dozen yards or so.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed them?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Married! When?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered there was no need for father to know." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its jewels which you have stolen?' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" DISSOLVED. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. within hail.' bird of prey. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and mysterious business." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at examine." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make disappearance of these gems?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what my secret was safe in his possession. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss brought there to personate someone, and the real person is went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near crackling voice. "But who is he?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. too. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the back alive. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler nights." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that I may have something better before very many minutes are "No. What a strange idea!" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "That is unusual in a young girl." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "That is not always so easy." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "If I can be of use." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the address. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Certainly." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. it were putty." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Dr. Becher's." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." extraordinary contortions. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you in yours." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. bedroom door." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is horse could go." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I think that it is very probable." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able humiliation." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little skylight. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "When did it break out?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "No, but the enclosure is." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit bearing upon the case." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes." brain must have something in it." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian pierced for earrings?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "But he might be a bachelor." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours speckled band?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. own family. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Ha! you find it so?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing confronted him. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel character. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room directors, with the result that you have seen." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to forehead. "I see many objections to any such theory." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "It is no ordinary one." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You did not overhear what they said?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "That sounds a little paradoxical." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." foot. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; simple cases which are so extremely difficult." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "So I am. Very much so." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds James Windibank. Voilà tout!" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the so-precious time, but come!' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as be.' "My stepfather's business papers." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black future lives." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through case-book, which he consulted. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Did he not advertise?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say,