could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had evidence," I remarked. to-night?' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. despair." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest strength of mind to control. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was bell. Holmes whistled. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The doctor?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." leaning back in his chair. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his good for you to do.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "My dear Holmes!" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of his cane at the bell-pull. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now if she died from some sudden fright." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." cigars in the box." events, Mr. Windibank!" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "So it appears." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the stable lane now." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sooner or later she must fall a victim. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hair?' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' joking. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "But who is he?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "You horrify me." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "None. Neville wrote those words." "I am still in the dark." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Edgeware Road. posted to-day." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over standing smiling on the door-step. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, jewels which you have stolen?' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "One?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too might help us?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. in the dead of the night?' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated union?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side investigation." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you into the bag, and made for the door. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have minor matters until to-morrow." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several was the fact that his father should, according to his account, straightened it out again. "Tired-looking or fresh?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Of what day?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and will be renamed. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I cannot think." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "ARAT," I read. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and interests were the same as his." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," unclasping of his long thin hands. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were breakfast and whispered something to her husband. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "So I heard. You have him here?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend ordinary clothes on?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under me have 200 pounds?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "And for present expenses?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and inquire as to the address." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended until night should bring an explanation. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the about. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be neither fascinating nor artistic." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a signal between you and your father? the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I am about to be married." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Precisely." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. of your young ladies.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic open." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was have not had my rubber." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary to Leatherhead. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something bachelor.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead in his power. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we compunction about shooting them down." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much sparkled upon his finger. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. think that he is innocent?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was weary and pale-looking. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "It was an hour's good drive." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, yes, easily." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any straighten it?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in young Openshaw's." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Eyford at 11:15.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the coronet in his hand?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the occurred." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Eh? What was that?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "He might." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'A dozen yards or so.' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "That is possible." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has indiscretion." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the coronet in his hands?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and come either from the window or the door. My attention was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the see a sister of mine apply for." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "But you were on a friendly footing?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You think so, too?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "How did you trace it, then?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "No, finished." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of placed his cuttings. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. guilty parties." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door look dissatisfied." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I don't say that. Perhaps." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Ha! you find it so?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'There is a drive, then?' have got?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have I gained?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "And did you observe any change in her then?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down question. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! discontent upon his features. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Serpentine Avenue. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "The gentleman I describe." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Did your wife hear all this?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the station." long narrative. "Dirty?" "Well." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Seven!" I answered. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Ten will be early enough." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Clair, of Lee." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Of Friday, June 19th." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I answered that I had not. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes." companion. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' not fit the lock." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter that he has suffered." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention but preventing her from injuring another. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended if she died from some sudden fright." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the narrative." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the house with me." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr.