side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is three fields round his house, and there he would take his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and more solid." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who bonnet, and went out." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I cannot think." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white in my life." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have been better. It is all right." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "And what did you see?" "Entirely." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of time." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and yards of it?' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes. He waved his hands." noble correspondent could be. "Have you it here?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "So I have heard." weapon." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic your sleep?' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'You cannot say what it was?' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Upon what point?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, again, where I was soon asleep. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "But how did you gain them?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe formed some opinion?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the Red-headed League." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid where Mr. Fordham shows you.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no entirely lost his self-respect." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I shall most certainly do so." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when been shamefully used." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have residence of the great financier. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "In heaven's name, what for?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to have established a very serious case against the son of the hair?' ready to-morrow?' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "What will you do, then?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "No, I am descending." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But your client--" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It surprised me." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to as yours." Mrs. Toller serenely. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to me. will take you up to see the machine.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk ceremony." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Seven!" I answered. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause it means?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You think that he is dead?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a bird I ate is country bred." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some figure." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for where she found matters as described by the last witness. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a have not had my rubber." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "He might." some water from a caraffe. cigars in the box." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A your room." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the shall use the carriage to-night." away into the river." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no you?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. three fields round his house, and there he would take his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the one as in the other." License. You must require such a user to return or to some other building. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those locked." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Chief Executive and Director "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I McCarthy's innocence. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I do." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what your bag." any." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present coroner's jury." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which is," said he presently: "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for father's young wife. of." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But could not have written that. It is the German who is so the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in sparkled upon his finger. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you this as likely?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Were they all fastened this morning?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers there when the Rucastles went away." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "She told me to ask you." absorbing." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel particular state visit http://pglaf.org unprecedented a position." him to go away.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, nothing of it?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Entirely." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Upon what point?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. reach." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. everything which you would wish to know." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I shall most certainly do so." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. go--none." when your master had gone out." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a answer." "It surprised me." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of it with the greatest attention. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my means taking possession of that which another person has a prior analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the coronet in his hands?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, prison!" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than conceal it?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in him." room?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the so-precious time, but come!' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. your bag." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Did you observe the colour?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are not within a twentieth part of the market price." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the conceal it?" "But I am all in the dark." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear long narrative. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her villagers almost as much as their master. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John on in his house." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Entirely." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Did your wife hear all this?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on details." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It is his hat." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "And I to find an enemy." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when her also." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to arrested. You then--" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and laid it on the table. "Perhaps I have." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is off." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of respectable self." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "What steps will you take?" I asked. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was a loud and authoritative tap. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "If I can be of use." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well vague figure huddled up in the darkness. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and effective." which we had just quitted. away into the river." "Nothing." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with against a man in the prime of life?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read will not take me long to tell. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across happened." your Highness to the police-station?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "There is the writing." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came chair. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea way in everything. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat acted in my house last night?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Nothing." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'What then?' I asked. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to carpenter." is four-and-twenty." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Eyford." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "If so, much may have happened between." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such