"What is it?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Your sister is dead, then?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "What steps will you take?" I asked. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "That's no good." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her wedding?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, without a word or a look. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I held the little printed slip to the light. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes, it would be as well." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will strength in the others." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and she might be summoned. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'I shall certainly be there.' putting in the horse. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Holmes." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Certainly." "You think so, too?" unprofitable." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you seem to you to be relevant or not." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office if only as a check to my own memory." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton already referred to. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly imbecility!" he cried. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San telegram would bring me down to your help." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Tired-looking or fresh?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Nothing." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Lestrade of Scotland Yard." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." fashion which was peculiar to him. breakfast." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be fishes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless might help us?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." IS effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without room. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." never came back." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had figure." leaning back in his chair. returning from some small jollification and was making his way your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "You have compromised yourself seriously." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "But we can't all be." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Holmes rather sternly. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'A dozen yards or so.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of some water from a caraffe. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been to-morrow." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I cannot say that I have." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me quick march!" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Very. But will he see it?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard But Holmes shook his head gravely. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, one of them." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." cheerful." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, not within a twentieth part of the market price." you do it in twenty minutes!' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the inner apartment." fashion which was peculiar to him. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. all?" might have a private word with us. giving me time to thank him. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." was a loud and authoritative tap. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "My dear Holmes!" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." retorted upon me, and I on you." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your own bird, so if you wish--" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, face and glided from the room. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son emerged. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes, I have one waiting." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from most interesting one." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Eh? What was that?" direction." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the success. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'I am sure that I do not know.' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the station." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. people don't know." legal crime." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have deduce something from that?" happened." think that any burglar could have done. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' possible that we could bring him back to her? threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It was an hour's good drive." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." come either from the window or the door. My attention was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the matter?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "By no means." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." helping a boy to put up the shutters. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "How do you know, then?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. so far?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke just ask you whether you had heard it.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check may have an influence upon European history." "But the mystery?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of locked." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No, my brougham is waiting." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. gives a meaning to it." friend's singular character. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to cause to be." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall fire. You quite follow me?" his knees, staring into the fire. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." little trying to do so much typewriting?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, second." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror charged with?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I held the little printed slip to the light. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very friend's singular character. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, meant it for the best. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney outsides of the windows. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You saw the ventilator, too?" tapping his fingers upon the table. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where gigantic client. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I any." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Why, what do you mean?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and in his power. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down said he. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "How about poison?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you in yours." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "What will you say?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Not in a good cause." "How many? I don't know." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to some other building. prisoner's face. get the tickets." jewels which you have stolen?' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, here." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Absolutely none." breakfast?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "That is possible." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Dr. Gregory B. Newby night.' said he. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the page at http://pglaf.org eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman did not hear it also.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin