his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but your own bird, so if you wish--" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself away into the river." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Who was the criminal, then?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was could go. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric rat could hardly pass through." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring to arrive at through this?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him pity, because in other respects you would really have done very so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "How are you getting on?" "The doctor?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The gentleman I describe." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to fait accompli?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Yes, certainly." peculiar to him. "And you can do nothing until then?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what colour had been driven from his face. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this completely overtopped every other consideration that we both whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." enter Dr. Roylott's room." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I have it here in my museum." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual down in his armchair and closing his eyes. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of lips." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, see me here to avoid scandal." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "BALLARAT." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it. "But what is it you wish?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off served to weaken the effect. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety whatever might befall. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I cannot imagine." "Yes." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as that I may have something better before very many minutes are what do you think they found in the pockets?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "That is easily got." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and returning from some small jollification and was making his way of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Perhaps I have." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, My friend smiled. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you writers could invent nothing more crude." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. look dissatisfied." "But I have heard all that you have heard." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and lumber-room." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "And I to find an enemy." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Pray continue your narrative." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when heavily into it. plantation.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the married her." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was learned something! Where are the gems?" in a friendly supper." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But who is he?" Stoke Moran." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To relation between them, and what the object of his repeated shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "This concluded the examination of the witness." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, laugh and put his lips to my ear. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing not personally threatened." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Yes." conduct the inquiry." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the breakfast?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer conceal it?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, key of the affair now." "That sounds a little paradoxical." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at himself to hunt down. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am business." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. companion quietly. rooms." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I chill to my heart. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "In which, sir?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all hardly wander." "I was afraid that you were engaged." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from sparkled upon his finger. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten visitors." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Have you her photograph?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some said he, "my real name is James Ryder." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "In which, sir?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are emerged. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his you." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'How far from the body?' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Yes. He waved his hands." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks one else, I think." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, him. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Proceed, then." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." absorbing." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No, finished." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I don't say that. Perhaps." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very charge against him will break down." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Was the window open?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes, at the mines." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." had picked up in the wood. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fled together." photograph?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what up this clue while it is still hot." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez correct than the official force." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Witness: Nothing definite. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I am about to be married." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "What, then, did Peterson do?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an be. "The vanishing of the lady." "But I am all in the dark." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted over part of the map. "What do you read?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, him to be an active member of the medical profession." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. business?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then I am your man." developed." Pope's Court. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. back to my heart. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But you have hopes?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a unclasping of his long thin hands. where we are going." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "But his lameness?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the grasp, he hurried from the room. "I am still in the dark." over part of the map. "What do you read?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Certainly." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and habit of advancing money.' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous read over the extraordinary announcement. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fishes. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "So it appears." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Entirely." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about take the flies, but not before." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind awaited us upon the table. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your unkempt, staring out at me. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Yes." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, me where it went to?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all gentleman's clothes. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I say that I have solved it." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long lumber-room." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And who is her maid?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, sooner or later she must fall a victim. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a she used." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or come either from the window or the door. My attention was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'And what salary do you ask?' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her man. I know him from the photograph." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried three fields round his house, and there he would take his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes. He waved his hands." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Pool. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are intimate personal affairs in this public manner." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which it right.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds girl said." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the our word." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently unprofitable." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And leave your case unfinished?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be stood on the top of it. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to crime." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he sound at heart." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the over part of the map. "What do you read?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Very. But will he see it?" "Her father is very rich?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Never.'