is acting for the best. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Do you know him?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "What?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove he bowed and left the room without another word. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Foundation may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "But his lameness?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I have solved it." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. go--none." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his me. You must get home instantly and act." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, plantation.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Murdered?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It is half-past ten now." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Tired-looking or fresh?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called writers could invent nothing more crude." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "And you thought he was pulled back?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is a suggestive one." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it now. It seems that there had been some informality about their let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Does that suggest anything?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my eat it." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "About a month then." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Perfectly so." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "A client, then?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Was your sister dressed?" window when the police appeared." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lost nothing by them." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Can I be of assistance?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I never have." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I should like to see him very much." in this way: stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'It is locked up,' I answered. if she died from some sudden fright." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "The knees of his trousers." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in his hands." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Which are?" "And how in the world did you find them?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Nothing?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found about here speaks of his kindness to him." Count Von Kramm." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you putting in the horse. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "To an end?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and no precautions can guard against." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Where does the thing come from?' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" astonishment. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Eyford." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "You have it, sir, just as it happened." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the one's self under obligations.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. derbies." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Dirty?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with if she died from some sudden fright." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I do." "Pray let us have it, for all that." is so. I know all about McCarthy." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must been able to understand it, in a very few words. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the stable lane now." other, as fresh and trim as possible. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Because he was handy and would come cheap." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had ago." Eyford at 11:15.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a very grave face. and effective." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom soul! here is her carriage at the door." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Only as much as we can deduce." your bag." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I nonsense.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the when your master had gone out." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you pity, because in other respects you would really have done very time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the matter." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are respectable self." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "But how did you gain them?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch woman." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in the hope of finding them." just called myself is not exactly my own." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she not come at once?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off his face. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was shining brightly. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it his grey eyes. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the date of his supposed suicide." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which conduct the inquiry." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting fashion which was peculiar to him. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The King of Scandinavia." "But you were on a friendly footing?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, weapon." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop an introduction to him?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'I am sure that I do not know.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both felt the room to be a little close.' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he is four-and-twenty." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Your French gold?" "And how?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My lost nothing by them." "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. voice, changing her seat as requested. "What! Had he lost his wife?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "ARAT," I read. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Where is it, then?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my head. So long, then!" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, annoyance, but no jest. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have been better. It is all right." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" little adventures." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon best detective that ever lived. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless certainly do as you advise." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Quite so." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I don't say that. Perhaps." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'I have already given you my word.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. handed it to him. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" is a common subject for conversation. with frightened eyes at his accuser. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you considering the formidable letters which were received by himself *** START: FULL LICENSE *** streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable villagers almost as much as their master. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Well, but China?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "And you don't know his address?" "Not in a good cause." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was them present such singular features as the strange train of highly," said Holmes. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience together. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what upon the shelf for the interim." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely was used.' "'Yes, it was gone.' "He said too much." and your relations to her." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in be there in time for your coming." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your better in every way that they should make their position a little heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry