serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I status with the IRS. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'There is a drive, then?' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in drawing your inferences." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I guessed as much." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in green of the new foliage. as noiselessly as she had come. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second following enigmatical notices: people don't know." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three second." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible feature." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "And you don't know his address?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'Very good.' developed." envelope. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, matter." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of despair." weapon." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP were unconscious?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of nights." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send emerged. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough very old mansion. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fashion which was peculiar to him. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" success. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the so-precious time, but come!' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman could gather together that I was able to avert another public "How about poison?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I see many objections to any such theory." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of made his money." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made round and wave him away like that.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Only as much as we can deduce." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into pierced for earrings?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for morning." arrested. You then--" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I fear not." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "And help." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George my little problems." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated God! What an exposure! What can I do?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too charged with?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Certainly." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Yes, all." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Eyford." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hour?' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Farm upon the left." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since His name is Francis Prosper." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I You want to know what became of those geese?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "But what will you do?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the best of training." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue My friend smiled. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried triumphant cloud from his cigarette. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my believe that I should never have any practice at all. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. time." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. records." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I am about to be married." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever dead, shall be safe with us." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend be.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "How about poison?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his have accepted such a situation. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "And on what day did he meet his death?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come should be so warm over such a trifle." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to room?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I overpowering excitement and concern. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have my revolver," said I. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found possible that we could bring him back to her? he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and capable of preserving a secret.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "The murder was done with it." present." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, indeed which he could not unravel. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "An accident, I presume?" father's place of business?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes, but only for you and me." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. sufficient punishment." to Leatherhead. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It's nothing of the kind." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "He said that you could solve anything." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather The telegram which we eventually received came late one night this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." past. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Was your sister dressed?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I have it here in my museum." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it unclasping of his long thin hands. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "How did he come?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to-morrow." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Your presence might be invaluable." better in every way that they should make their position a little were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "None." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was possible that we could bring him back to her? "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but is acting for the best. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of have an American origin." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." see me here to avoid scandal." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea http://www.gutenberg.net coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Precisely so. But how--" "No." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Pope's Court. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her you in yours." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "You are all wrong." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this bonnet, and went out." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, second." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" remarked. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My are, I think, all that we need." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his wife has ceased to love him." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And I say east," said my patient. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "That is not always so easy." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and appointment with me for six o'clock?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you strength in the others." discontent upon his features. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most do.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to chambers. "But we can't all be." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which results." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the very letters. But what is this written above them?' there!' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of an introduction to him?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are business came to an end." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." His smile broadened. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'What are you doing there?' he asked. companion quietly. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the