is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and good for you to do.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "And I say east," said my patient. as yours." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And now?" I asked. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me despaired of." "The murder was done with it." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "What is it, then--a fire?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the bill, which interests me deeply." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pierced for earrings?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "It is solved." "I think it very unlikely." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who were unconscious?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third open." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his had picked up in the wood. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the galvanised. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the have not had my rubber." "Dr. Becher's." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the danger is over." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and put his glass in his pocket. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "None." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It's nothing of the kind." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "My opinion is in no way altered." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn tension within him. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for retorted upon me, and I on you." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire clang of the bell. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid your own bird, so if you wish--" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, politicians who had been sent down from the North. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook only touch the interest." "Yes, I have one waiting." the best of training." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have she used." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to three fields round his house, and there he would take his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Edgeware Road. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting clanging. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Were they all fastened this morning?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, cause to be." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a roused himself from his reverie. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'There is a drive, then?' that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? photograph a cabinet?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for any little problem which you may submit to me." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "A client, then?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." his wife has ceased to love him." never came back." "And sit in the dark?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "When did she vanish, then?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black instituted." awkward doing business with an alias." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing with you?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I took the paper from him and read as follows: the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered digesting their breakfasts at home." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No, I am descending." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "How did that help you?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "He is dead," cried several voices. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "What! a murderous attack?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." my former friend and companion. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me key turn in the lock." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." hour?' for its centre. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done she might be summoned. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Where, then, is my wife?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "It is half-past ten now." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Certainly." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in said Mr. Holder. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest should be so warm over such a trifle." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently he died? yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal have got?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about once more. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely drawing your inferences." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "In the cells." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You horrify me." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. way in everything. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Married! When?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you whatever might befall. "The knees of his trousers." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the stones. will be renamed. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, a monotonous occupation." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Breckinridge is his name." "Certainly." "You saw the ventilator, too?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many call for protection in the marriage market, for the present heavily into it. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "She walked into the breakfast-room." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into should be so warm over such a trifle." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the inner apartment." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Ample.' himself. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Never.' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "The vanishing of the lady." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which all?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little said I. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Leave Paddington by the 11:15." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My before the coroner and the police-court." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to go into your room and bar your shutters?" know all about it," he snarled. "And who is her maid?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend present." like that before?" to-night's adventure." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden article?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "No." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided strength of mind to control. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and of the one which your family is now devouring." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that take the flies, but not before." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted national property. I was determined that the law should have its weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "What of the rat, then?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "What!" he roared. "Oh, fresh and glossy." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But how?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as we went to search for him, face downward in a little stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was colour had been driven from his face. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I cheerful." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard politicians who had been sent down from the North. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I will get her to show me." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in fire. You quite follow me?" words came to my lips. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It is half-past ten now." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with than was visible to me." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done *** START: FULL LICENSE *** doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I nodded to show that I had heard. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely dramatic, in fact." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm dates and names. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "But how will you look?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Cross for the Continent." intrusion of other matters." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you would apply.' examine." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "You are hungry," I remarked. "About a month then." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The rest you will leave in our hands." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And help." "I see no marks." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had congratulate you again." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I in this way: you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A