"Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of digesting their breakfasts at home." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the gives a meaning to it." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Yes, sir.' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Was there a secret marriage?" for securing the situation." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a wedding?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "No bad?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "What can it mean?" I gasped. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would papers on the sundial.'" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." this remarkable episode. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a voice, changing her seat as requested. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "To an English lawyer named Norton." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, my secret was safe in his possession. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the my special province." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just coroner's jury." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper will not take me long to tell. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the chambers. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the or other trace. But how on earth--" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long his forehead." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "This concluded the examination of the witness." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "We have tried and failed." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "What can you not understand?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Then the page we have seen--" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the Assizes." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open at my own good fortune. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his residence of the great financier. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out your own bird, so if you wish--" more terrible than the truth. the salesman. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Were they all fastened this morning?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered flock.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, you do it in twenty minutes!' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of a light. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a purpose equally well?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," did not hear it also.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he had formerly been in part my own. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "To the police?" the child." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a see me here to avoid scandal." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I shall be delighted." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "You horrify me." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Dark enough and sinister enough." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as his forehead." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "It is no ordinary one." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle are, and they are waiting for us." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that there was nothing in it, after all." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. key of the affair now." and the church but not where the lady lived." one else, I think." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had question you as to those details which seem to me to be most forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw train.' "Yes." for its centre. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I think it very unlikely." he died? with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before your room." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, despair." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." directly by questioning you." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple matter over." Surrey." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong unprecedented a position." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. should be so warm over such a trifle." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I will, Miss Turner." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, do." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had impression behind it as though a window had gently closed interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social points to suicide?" new duties?' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I think it very unlikely." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Of what?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of open." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I saw her in conversation with her maid." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Certainly,' I answered. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of room. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of Fenchurch Street." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, reach." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Ah!" "To an end?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "But your client--" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that hurried away. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of redistribution. "Where, then, is my wife?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. particular state visit http://pglaf.org us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I cannot say that I have." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he his eyes and forehead. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon distinguish the words: pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I will try. What is it?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I charged with?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. your sleep?' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the good for you to do.' Foundation "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to been with you?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." whether it answered to the description of any of their to-night's adventure." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. article?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Thank you. And your address?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just papers must be those that are destroyed.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "To the police?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them The telegram which we eventually received came late one night anything to do with the matter?" definite end. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'I have already given you my word.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Certainly." about here speaks of his kindness to him." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by your own bird, so if you wish--" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." then?" bill, which interests me deeply." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I promise," said Holmes. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of his shoulders. was a perfect sample of the class. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Very much so." developed." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. where she found matters as described by the last witness. drove away. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Yes, that is the Crown." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as ago." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. me upon any point which I do not make clear." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time colonel looking down at me. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." galvanised. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in gigantic client. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been gives a meaning to it." "Holmes, the busybody!" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and put his glass in his pocket. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "He is dead," cried several voices. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." hair?' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You long narrative. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin What do you deduce from it?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'You cannot say what it was?' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and enter Dr. Roylott's room." the coroner come to?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly possible that we could bring him back to her? Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "That was it, sir." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us companion imperturbably. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "On Monday." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently companion imperturbably. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life