"Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and that he would see to anything that turned up. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "My opinion is in no way altered." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and prosperity to your house. Good-night." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "The landlord of the Alpha." second window is the one that I jumped from." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Yes." about. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his true." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." promised to bring home. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And did you observe any change in her then?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and the colonel ushered me in. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a papers diligently of late, have you not?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others business matters.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the grasp, he hurried from the room. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as handed it to him. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son some terrible trap for her." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What will you say?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Gutenberg-tm License. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I should be immensely obliged to you." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Was he the only applicant?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young acquaintance?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "10th. John Swain cleared. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Precisely so. But how--" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of tied." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned few hundred pounds.' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm at a side door. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to humiliation." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. within hail.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the child." himself to hunt down. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. suspect him." have got?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen this poor creature." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my there has been an enclosure here!" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Nothing." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking like gravel from a pit.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in where we are going." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Then I can wait in the next room." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Never,' said I. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the child?' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "In which, sir?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "But she could not love him." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort directors have had misgivings upon the subject." with frightened eyes at his accuser. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with an introduction to him?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But his lameness?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the not within a twentieth part of the market price." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I don't say that. Perhaps." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Never to return." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an more solid." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "The gentleman I describe." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Game for a morning drive?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "None." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" you?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss some terrible trap for her." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend congenial hunt. formed some opinion?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Project Gutenberg-tm works. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls if only as a check to my own memory." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the Red-headed League." upon a handsome competence. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed to-morrow." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his DISSOLVED. The King stared at him in amazement. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "No good news?" must be when I saw the door open.' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my golden eyeglasses. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fire. You quite follow me?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose It may be so in this case, also." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt despaired of." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than stepfather?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the devil!" "Yes." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "It certainly sounds feasible." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." matter over." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Certainly, madam." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy one of them." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., that before taking the final step I should like to submit the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face returning from some small jollification and was making his way in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Holmes. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. this Miss Turner." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual chance at all." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, little adventures." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have such person." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away with some details as to your case." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few back alive. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and miles off. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really little trying to do so much typewriting?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Lee, in the county of Kent." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations point in the dark hollow of his hand. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I am still in the dark." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was him to go away.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and inquire as to the address." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which we had just quitted. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and the colonel ushered me in. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs public press." "Yes." Serpentine Avenue. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'No, I know no one in these parts.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Yes, it was twisted." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her him to be an active member of the medical profession." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought gigantic client. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my writer." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire eavesdroppers?' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "No good news?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Precisely." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "An enemy?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not indeed happy." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "At the wedding breakfast." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or telegram would bring me down to your help." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end six. Come in!" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an newspaper selections." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to you, my dear young lady?' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "What is it, then--a fire?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. attention." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and have an American origin." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Where does the thing come from?' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "And help." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "By train from Waterloo." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the room while you explain this matter?" footfalls from the street. "Who was the criminal, then?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" head. So long, then!" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" entirely lost his self-respect." open." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And why?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." remarked. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low forebodings. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me tightly behind him. I nodded again. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Certainly." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by