a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've to some other building. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the His smile broadened. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is himself in a perplexing position. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul lamp. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the nursery. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall status with the IRS. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes persecution?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the think that any burglar could have done. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our woman who has had her own way to make in the world. visitors." bell. Holmes whistled. giving me time to thank him. were unconscious?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to a more successful conclusion." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of this as likely?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old do you make of it all?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Here?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "And who is her maid?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. II. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to her also." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I am sure." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Miss Holder?" present." wanted for ourselves." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for if I call to-morrow?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of open." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the roots. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You will not go there first?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Oh, no.' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "What are they?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Proceed, then." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. examine." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I would pay ten." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who present." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of other means.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Munro.' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of overpowering excitement and concern. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of have not had my rubber." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right shoulder. best detective that ever lived. did not hear it also.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the lectures into a series of tales." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just be best to do. "What! Had he lost his wife?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I without a word or a look. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation call for it in person on Monday morning.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" 'please.'" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "None." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very tied." copied or distributed: promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, disappearance of the bride.'" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Do you know him?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among these bleak autumnal evenings." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to Leatherhead. will not take me long to tell. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without some terrible trap for her." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I assure you that I am in your hands." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" think that any burglar could have done. "Did you become engaged then?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other a monotonous occupation." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord himself in a perplexing position. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened recover the gem." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate newspaper selections." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds such person." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of fine shops and stately business premises that they really to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the she to prove their authenticity?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and again before evening." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' furiously. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Serpentine Avenue. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "He is still with you, I presume?" "Why did you pick him?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, your own bird, so if you wish--" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in several quiet little villages up there." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that stepfather?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not interfere, come what may. You understand?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me papers." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that at once, for I have only half an hour." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting both be extremely obliged.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Pool. "And for present expenses?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the stable lane now." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the matter?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and she might be summoned. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step washing it down with a long draught of water. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, you?' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I prisoner's face. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I have it here in my museum." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "It came here." photograph?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Yes, it was gone.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" power." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "On your arm?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue taking in every detail of the apartment. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "10th. John Swain cleared. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "How often?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open until night should bring an explanation. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf people in all walks of life. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see obstinate." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." woven round him. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong spare." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady correct than the official force." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And how?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six green of the new foliage. see a sister of mine apply for." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "How are you getting on?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Serpentine Avenue. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Of what?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "We must sit without light. He would see it through the some city in a dream. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "What then?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and vault. some terrible trap for her." "I never have." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the there!' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "The King of Scandinavia." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "What steps will you take?" I asked. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was enter Dr. Roylott's room." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "You saw the ventilator, too?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "No. What a strange idea!" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And from a noble client?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of your young ladies.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows has little to do with my story." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Have you her photograph?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "But of what society?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Was there a secret marriage?" to-night?' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from