"Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' against a man in the prime of life?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Well." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "But not more so than I to find you." weary and pale-looking. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I again before evening." nonsense.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from we went to search for him, face downward in a little "You were travelling in the States?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "And did you observe any change in her then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Pray do so." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the matter?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea gigantic client. to-morrow." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. lamp. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Have you it here?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in my life." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried excitement. delighted to hear it," he said. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I was sure that I might rely on you." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter details." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "By train from Waterloo." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was shining brightly. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It must be recovered." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would yourselves in at night?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "What office?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I asked. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Yes, only one." "I answered that I had not. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that before taking the final step I should like to submit the used to be." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us upon the white wrist. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, in the hope of finding them." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means fashion which was peculiar to him. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban allusion to a rat. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be went to the Alpha were town bred." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the at my own good fortune. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Which dealer's?' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he instituted." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Gutenberg-tm License. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the reach." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I will get her to show me." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "On the contrary, this is the right side." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me was not a bird to be seen there. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in is so. I know all about McCarthy." have had none more fantastic than this." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," she to prove their authenticity?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to one else, I think." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that unprofitable." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. locked." "You have a clue?" long narrative. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland amused." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Whose house is it?" "Nothing." room?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "And Miss Sutherland?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Dirty?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "But what will you do?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately with some details as to your case." prepare for the new role I have to play." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "A greater distance to travel." "'Certainly not.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." round and wave him away like that.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It is possible." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me forbidden door. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all The King stared at him in amazement. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was house for five minutes.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thin legs towards the fire. I shall continue with my miserable story. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to his chemical studies. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the tragedy. time." "About a month then." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! round with crates and massive boxes. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. new duties?' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and into the room. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. questioning and rather startled gaze. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "He is still with you, I presume?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only garden below. will not take me long to tell. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly now. It seems that there had been some informality about their one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me o'clock is it?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Stoke Moran?" said he. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself standing smiling on the door-step. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could overpowering excitement and concern. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I cannot tell." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite only touch the interest." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And you don't know his address?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously congratulate you again." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We nonsense.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John read over the extraordinary announcement. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "10th. John Swain cleared. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt think, you have already met." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. stood on the top of it. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked seen the man in the road." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small been." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it meant it for the best. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." formed some opinion?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not served to weaken the effect. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely leave you to your papers for a little." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an we went to search for him, face downward in a little "He might." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the shoulder; "he's all right." to me. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to arrive at through this?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, colour had been driven from his face. ready to-morrow?' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were himself to tell his story. Eyford at 11:15.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was a loud and authoritative tap. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You have the photograph?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "So I heard. You have him here?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never miles off. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Certainly." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from meanly of me." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was feeling which was the fattest.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. relief. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hard-headed British jury." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is will not take me long to tell. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Yes, all." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered shall not find me ungrateful." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were this unhappy family?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Ah!" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young it means?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he make me his representative both with the servants and with the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that him. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to little trying to do so much typewriting?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Texas, I think." acquaintance?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the chill to my heart. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And who is her maid?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses,