next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, you?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "My photograph." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. outside. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed cigar and let me expound." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a presented more singular features than that which was associated "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking might have a private word with us. strength." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at once, for I have only half an hour." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lips." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Yes, I promise.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Here?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice certainly do as you advise." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "To an end?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have were wasted." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'It is locked up,' I answered. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be bonnet, and went out." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Can I be of assistance?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and effective." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Of what day?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Not in the least." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting public press." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hard-headed British jury." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to-night?" I asked. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Entirely." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before was already answered. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Where did you address your letters, then?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" You want to know what became of those geese?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "My opinion is in no way altered." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his clang of the bell. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the maiden herself was most instructive." to-night?' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall crime. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, 'please.'" "And sit in the dark?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her one which it was hard to resist. "No." "Yes." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I it with his own hands." IS "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. feature." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "But to whom?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him said he. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Well?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Won't it ring?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Ample." existence." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. time." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, it was twisted." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that stood on the top of it. is a common subject for conversation. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on breakfast and whispered something to her husband. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Certainly not. But why?' "You saw the ventilator, too?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Holmes' room. chamber." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there generous with you in money matters.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom know all about it," he snarled. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society strength." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped him to go away.' "Was there a secret marriage?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Never." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in all that?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my see a sister of mine apply for." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And how did he make his money?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon garden below. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little correct than the official force." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign said he, "my real name is James Ryder." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. light and attacked it." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to gentleman's clothes. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the very morning of the wedding." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the stones. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "When did she vanish, then?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fact, we may call it conclusive." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the individual and becomes the badge of a society." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who congratulate you again." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, certainly do as you advise." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An affair. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Entirely.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend morning." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I was sure that I might rely on you." already been minutely examined." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way away into the river." 1.E.9. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ready to-morrow?' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "What?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the house for five minutes.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can never came back." "Why serious?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Seven!" I answered. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered quickly through a disagreeable task. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for south, for the country is more deserted there." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, place no limit on the sum I may draw." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for lumber-room." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in a very precise fashion." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I cannot think." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had evidence," I remarked. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the possible that we could bring him back to her? I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to morning." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a over part of the map. "What do you read?" horse could go." "By all means." crackling voice. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "It must be recovered." garden below. in the hope of finding them." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for place no limit on the sum I may draw." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "What, then, did Peterson do?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard noble correspondent could be. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Yes." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the morning and make my own way in the world.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and it need not interfere very much with one's other affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to call you and give you the chance." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "By no means." "What shall I do?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out like gravel from a pit.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have not had my rubber." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "But your client--" nonsense.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Very murderous indeed." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and walking." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Certainly." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the bottom.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I saw her in conversation with her maid." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying ventilator." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "At what time?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a foresight and the moral retrogression?" his grey eyes. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls spark where all is dark to me." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the