"In heaven's name, what for?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in could gather together that I was able to avert another public active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. leave you to your papers for a little." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'What then?' I asked. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "But your client--" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' noting anything else of interest. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And you can do nothing until then?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling maiden herself was most instructive." it with his own hands." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the suspect him." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be least a fellow-countryman. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Never.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could head. So long, then!" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "By train from Waterloo." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination heavy and sharp instrument." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that there was nothing in it, after all." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a place of silver." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as derbies." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met What do you deduce from it?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without but preventing her from injuring another. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." beyond words. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "One?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a security.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I cannot tell." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to have been novel and of interest." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my less than 26s. 4d. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some indeed happy." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the so-precious time, but come!' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "The murder was done with it." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal envelope. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Then you may entirely rely on me." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "And you can do nothing until then?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I was afraid that you were engaged." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Yes." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it yet." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hereditary King of Bohemia." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "You have the photograph?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier it. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Witness: Nothing definite. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments is," said he presently: Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin round with crates and massive boxes. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such without a word or a look. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that evidence," I remarked. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary next day. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Proceed, then." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "There are none." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away with some details as to your case." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, voice. visitors." voice. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him if she died from some sudden fright." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP way: which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his client, rising. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." on in his house." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any The police have openly confessed that they can at present make within hail.' compunction about shooting them down." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I am not easy in my mind about them." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'Certainly not.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a you in your example." you came in." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he been able to understand it, in a very few words. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "What then?" side. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. British peeress.'" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "To ruin me." dramatic, in fact." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "What! You do not mean bodies?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hair?' the inquest, and which are worth considering." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in in this way: to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "No, distinctly professional." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second light and attacked it." "Oh, yes, easily." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It's nothing of the kind." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room upon the white wrist. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his not personally threatened." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my answered with a sidelong glance. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt without success. At last the little money which I had saved began parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And you thought he was pulled back?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "What will you say?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. answered with a sidelong glance. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as interest. They are important, you understand, without being was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And leave your case unfinished?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may shag which I had seen upon the previous night. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is front of the hall door has given its name to the place. client, rising. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "9th. McCauley cleared. "In the cells." quick march!" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we friend's singular character. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I am all attention, madam." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a tell him that I know him to be innocent." tightly behind him. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I washing it down with a long draught of water. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect clanging. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by must be when I saw the door open.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should residence of the great financier. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I would pay ten." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "But I have heard all that you have heard." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Yes." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "By all means." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any fishes. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he about here speaks of his kindness to him." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in papers must be those that are destroyed.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Of what?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Holmes' thin, eager face. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I will do it." mystery may be cleared along those lines." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power wedding?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of are, and they are waiting for us." "What then?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to tackle the facts." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from back to my heart. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how business in the City. She little knew what. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment mysterious end." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my formed some opinion?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of congenial hunt. is a common subject for conversation. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "No good news?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "What are they?" good for you to do.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And your father? Did you tell him?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him residence of the great financier. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Not I." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "An accident, I presume?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. goes." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I colour had been driven from his face. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "That you are never beaten." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "He said too much." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this of the efforts of the United States government and of the better seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America becomes even more simple." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I off." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, only one." "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and