do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Cross for the Continent." "An enemy?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little his face. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." memory. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I direction." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest that there was nothing in it, after all." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. feature." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." get the tickets." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Can I be of assistance?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Seven!" I answered. long narrative. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the redistribution. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I cannot tell." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its you for a few hours?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Precisely." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "That you are never beaten." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United your bag." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had we went to search for him, face downward in a little outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven room?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. again on its way. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "And on what day did he meet his death?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Cross for the Continent." awkward doing business with an alias." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Dr. Gregory B. Newby waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered my former friend and companion. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the coronet at all injured?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Where is it, then?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of the vacancies.' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of daring than any effort of the imagination." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "She will not sell." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Yes, the wine-cellar." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," my little problems." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the loss of it. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter client, rising. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more character. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "If so, much may have happened between." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the your own bird, so if you wish--" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His directly by questioning you." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "A confidential servant?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate have not had my rubber." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Always." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have an American origin." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Arthur Conan Doyle "Texas, I think." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." voice. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have lectures into a series of tales." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I never have." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and even so self-evident a thing as that." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a thirty. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "No." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about open." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a mysterious end." or in danger--" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. all?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It is very kind of you." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a as yours." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And I to find an enemy." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and best detective that ever lived. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And sit in the dark?" promised to bring home. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And the cigar-holder?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his down. grasp, he hurried from the room. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our you." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a side. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. nice household for a young lady." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Get out!" said he. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation interests were the same as his." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly been." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and shall probably return to London by the evening train." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters go back?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It nothing of it?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny that hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming furiously. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached morning." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke cause to be." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Why did you pick him?" was not a bird to be seen there. "I am all attention, madam." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five country, and eventually married, without anyone having a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "How do you know, then?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out be there in time for your coming." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of spare." even so self-evident a thing as that." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" of a light. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "How do you know, then?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "A client, then?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, from the brougham. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit You can understand that this register and diary may implicate beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad more terrible than the truth. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes introspective fashion. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism followed. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely me have 200 pounds?' call it cruel." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I took the paper from him and read as follows: "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side to-night's adventure." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Why that?' I asks. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, brain must have something in it." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you three fields round his house, and there he would take his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us vague figure huddled up in the darkness. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to imbecility!" he cried. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly future lives." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the so-precious time, but come!' "Not social, then?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Frequently." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's off." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the read over the extraordinary announcement. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Absolutely none." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Upon what point?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he of note-paper. It read in this fashion: were new raised from a basin. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back upon a handsome competence. "You think that he is dead?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover fishes. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would knowledge of the world." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "An enemy?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I don't say that. Perhaps." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own success. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Entirely." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I don't believe it." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that criminal. We have already had experience of such." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had one of them." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came it. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow