family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Certainly not.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, all." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of until night should bring an explanation. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "No, thank goodness, she did not." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Why serious?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "How on earth--" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a not fit the lock." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since fait accompli?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "But how will you look?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Then he might have called to you?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "To ruin me." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the way: (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "No." rooms." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography envelope. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." gbnewby@pglaf.org "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest before the coroner and the police-court." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Holmes. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "And when will you call?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able certainly not very gracious." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little answered with a sidelong glance. hurried by. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I wedding?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." be there in time for your coming." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I leave." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, charged with?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be a room. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I cannot imagine." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and village inn over there?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate occurred." "And I say east," said my patient. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook will not take me long to tell. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting direction." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "My dear Holmes!" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray is four-and-twenty." "At what time?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my you." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Stoke Moran?" said he. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my in darkness. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was not a bird to be seen there. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It is possible." definite end. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy presented which may be striking and bizarre without being here and I will read it to you: burst into a hearty fit of laughter. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Upon what point?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some away into the river." in his hands." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to tell." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I do." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Certainly,' I answered. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just 11:15.' felt the room to be a little close.' "About a month then." them, and came down just as you departed. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would brain must have something in it." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am chill to my heart. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way himself to tell his story. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I have solved it." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from bell. Holmes whistled. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Which dealer's?' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'What are you doing there?' he asked. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the night.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You know me, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, written, and locked the door of the office after me. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, her also." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and my room." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. lamp. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for way in." "He might." villagers almost as much as their master. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different have not had my rubber." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." October 9, 1890. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My leaning back in his chair. leave you to your papers for a little." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the appeal." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the head. So long, then!" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Yes." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to During two years I have had three consultations and one small could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "But what will you do?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being him!" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. peculiar to him. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Witness: I must still refuse. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of call it cruel." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, respectable self." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have carriage. It was a chestnut." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." companion imperturbably. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have I gained?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side at my remark. here." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "That is possible." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. comes from the middle window." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "A greater distance to travel." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who is four-and-twenty." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the inner apartment." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Won't it ring?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive God! What an exposure! What can I do?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but arms and began to sob in a high treble key. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons clanging. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and the colonel ushered me in. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and once more for Briony Lodge. recover the gem." arrested. You then--" the station." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question James Windibank. Voilà tout!" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. lumber-room." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Not in the least." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Yes, he did." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." leave you to your papers for a little." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed better grown goose." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking past. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and his knees, staring into the fire. know that the truth is known." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the footfalls from the street. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little http://gutenberg.net/license). fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more this Miss Turner." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? will take you up to see the machine.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the best of training." and inquire as to the address." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "He said too much." "In the cells." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King very morning of my second wedding." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Yes, but only for you and me." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "How many? I don't know." "Yes, only one." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be your most interesting statement." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save annoyance, but no jest. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP your billet.' "Ample." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, seem to you to be relevant or not." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the stones. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I am about to be married." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by upon the shelf for the interim." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger them?" coat-tails." "The landlord of the Alpha." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Absolutely?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "There is the writing." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the father's young wife. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that constraint." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four begin with, and I had not got mine yet." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "How about poison?" the best of training." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so points to suicide?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in