uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' that I am arrested." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ways of our fellow-men." "The gentleman I describe." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Her father is very rich?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping enter Dr. Roylott's room." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more been anything against him. He had for years been known as a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You were travelling in the States?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may be. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "You are certainly joking, Holmes." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on this poor creature." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I status with the IRS. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end recover the gem." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" when you have done it." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Which dealer's?' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Dirty?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Yes." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of note-paper. It read in this fashion: reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer legal crime." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of your young ladies.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his face which made him a very different person to the round, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which during the last few years, and there are many noble families to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was undoubtedly my uncle's." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and a shock of very red hair. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." awkward doing business with an alias." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that I may have something better before very many minutes are Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such October 9, 1890. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the night.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Of what day?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his jewels which you have stolen?' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my situation." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What do you mean?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that me what he had done with the three missing stones. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such stammered. electronic works 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bell. Holmes whistled. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "What then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the King without delay." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' it." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from quick march!" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Perhaps I have." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Foundation "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Tired-looking or fresh?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," tension within him. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "We must sit without light. He would see it through the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you in your example." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged off." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Of what?" "But I am all in the dark." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side carriage. It was a chestnut." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, better grown goose." hour." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated carriage. It was a chestnut." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite respectable self." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she about here speaks of his kindness to him." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed him to be an active member of the medical profession." shoulder. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Witness: Nothing definite. too. Holmes' thin, eager face. "Not particularly." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I manager. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his forehead." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people it means?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the him nearly every evening." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "My Mary? Impossible!" trifles." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he second." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the hard-headed British jury." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fat-encircled eyes. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Come in!" said he. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more mysterious end." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and been." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of salesman. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew morning." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the driver. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with morning." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the one as in the other." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle jewels which you have stolen?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Never.' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered me what he had done with the three missing stones. views." "Pray do so." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of your young ladies.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been questionable one." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "On the contrary, this is the right side." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "It came here." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock at a side door. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. been deceived." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It is very kind of you." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham returned to France?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Thank you. And your address?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no will be renamed. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who one which it was hard to resist. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you I have it here in my museum." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "What then?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to a light-house. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the matter?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my from the brougham. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I newspaper selections." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone back into the street. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat giving me time to thank him. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stalked out of the room. said he. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "At the wedding breakfast." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, held up the lantern and gazed about him. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "That is possible." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly father's place of business?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent have had none more fantastic than this." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'What then?' I asked. do you make of it all?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "No, I had a dozen." "And now?" He raised his hand. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that other means.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on is acting for the best. confronted him. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." http://www.gutenberg.net Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many money should be paid at once.' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America she used." "Yes, certainly." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Edgeware Road. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "How can you tell that?" "Here?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "What do you make of that, Watson?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have if only as a check to my own memory." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which crowd. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton prison!" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. a very grave face. "Was she in good spirits?" habit of advancing money.' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And sit in the dark?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Then how many are there?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry,