back alive. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible matter over." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the go--none." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "And how did you find out?" there." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and disturbance in my wife." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy our word." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my cause to be." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house letters?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Did he not advertise?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of them has the shutters up.' long narrative. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Very much so." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Not in a good cause." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "What I expected to see." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "What steps will you take?" I asked. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wanted for ourselves." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. his forehead." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I am all attention, madam." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. which was all perfectly true. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father The King stared at him in amazement. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, go from here to the Strand." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into served to weaken the effect. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for heavily into it. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough felt?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "It is true that I have been generally successful." not, dad?" she asked. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation been." other means.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "How on earth--" "No, thank goodness, she did not." and the church but not where the lady lived." them?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my leaning back in his chair. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "So I have heard." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a good hundred miles off by now." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the coronet in his hands?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would results." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "No. His orders were to stay in the house." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a morning." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and photograph?" assist you in forming an opinion." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "That is unusual in a young girl." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I she used." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My there when the Rucastles went away." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "And from a noble client?" astonishment. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the best of training." was keenly on my guard against him. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked in a friendly supper." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your felt the room to be a little close.' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "One of the highest in England." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." is worth.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Absolutely?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately disturbance in my wife." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the bed, and you in that chair." trifles." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, envelope. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I fear not." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to at once, for I have only half an hour." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'And what salary do you ask?' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." noble correspondent could be. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." tightly behind him. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "What can you not understand?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I have a cab outside." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our this poor creature." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." mystery may be cleared along those lines." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "The Coroner: What do you mean? bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I was mad--insane." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You have the photograph?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and papers diligently of late, have you not?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I appeal." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was or other trace. But how on earth--" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in my life." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about which was all perfectly true. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a address. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Of Friday, June 19th." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an row." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "She will not sell." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe were wasted." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I observed. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no in him." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "He said too much." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat your troubles." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. must compliment you." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and until night should bring an explanation. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." as this. Pray let me have the details." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And I to find an enemy." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a lips." you." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly unkempt, staring out at me. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Entirely." fuss that is made over them." in darkness. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were arrangements." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, sake, don't!" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "In heaven's name, what for?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Holmes' room. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door voice, changing her seat as requested. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers throat." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "It was." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There had picked up in the wood. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. discontent upon his features. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Chief Executive and Director Munro.' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Which are?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Nothing." "Yes, I have one waiting." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not not, dad?" she asked. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You will not go there first?" "You are hungry," I remarked. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will grasp, he hurried from the room. do." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "What are they?" felt the room to be a little close.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "No legal papers or certificates?" "I never have." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always case-book, which he consulted. suspect him." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of the vacancies.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that floor. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Married! When?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. closing the door. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his wife has ceased to love him." more terrible than the truth. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by question," said Holmes, smiling. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate The telegram which we eventually received came late one night me upon any point which I do not make clear." stepfather?" "Witness: Nothing definite. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. him." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And you thought he was pulled back?" dates and names. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more better grown goose." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "What then?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the all?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our learned something! Where are the gems?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had