going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Come in!" said Holmes. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "If so, much may have happened between." "I should wish to." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, again on its way. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'Ample.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Perhaps I have." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Pope's Court. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Just look it up, then." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "What are they?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the address that was given us in the advertisement. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That is unusual in a young girl." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "In what way?" asked Holmes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for highly," said Holmes. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Did he not advertise?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "And the murderer?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is public press." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Gutenberg-tm License. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has within hail.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his remarked. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon father's place of business?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an have had none more fantastic than this." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Never." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Nothing?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad The police have openly confessed that they can at present make in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Why serious?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never DISSOLVED. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "But the mystery?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down married her." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have accepted such a situation. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done assist you in forming an opinion." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I am in hopes that she does." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But his left-handedness." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the one of the states of the Union." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The doctor?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms very peculiar words of the dying woman?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But how will you look?" he. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to change my dress. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "In what way?" asked Holmes. followed. of receipt of the work. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "That sounds a little paradoxical." desk. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his with the outside air!" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured sofa. This way, please!" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey seem to you to be relevant or not." questionable one." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was records." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the bottom.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "He slept on the premises." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You were travelling in the States?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the stones. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." towards the blaze. said he at last. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I will do it." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save had this final quarrel? happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a must compliment you." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that?' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive must compliment you." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of bachelor.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, get the tickets." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Arthur Conan Doyle answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Ample." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Mary, has deserted me." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Nothing." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a who was a member of your goose club." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything undoubtedly my uncle's." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH nice household for a young lady." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One questionable one." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask where she found matters as described by the last witness. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would these bleak autumnal evenings." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in through." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you hopeless attempt at recovering them." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would maid will bring up your coffee." interests were the same as his." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And Irene Adler?" "A client, then?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as your Highness to the police-station?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB then?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of name is different." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "May I see it?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about standing smiling on the door-step. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the were unconscious?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to not fit the lock." "What is it, then--a fire?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "What! a murderous attack?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came better in every way that they should make their position a little the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'Certainly,' I answered. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on is worth.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend matter." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism dead, shall be safe with us." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "But how?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Eh? What was that?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "It is solved." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of business matters.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the taking in every detail of the apartment. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And did you observe any change in her then?" you, my dear young lady?' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Certainly not. But why?' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a absorbing." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no conclusions. instituted." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the leave you to your papers for a little." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to gives a meaning to it." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler look upon these things in a different way." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and prosperity to your house. Good-night." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite which our visitor detailed to us. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a there was no need for father to know." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of that "It certainly sounds feasible." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "An accident, I presume?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. hour?' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and the whole place is in a blaze." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been highly," said Holmes. "You have compromised yourself seriously." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker towards the blaze. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." four million human beings all jostling each other within the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, a monotonous occupation." "What, then?" but preventing her from injuring another. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'How far from the body?' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a not, dad?" she asked. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first tension within him. closing the door. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "No sign of it?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a presented more singular features than that which was associated said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was