the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What do you mean?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there brain must have something in it." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room said he. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "In heaven's name, what for?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that there was nothing in it, after all." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate was shining brightly. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I cannot say that I have." but preventing her from injuring another. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "He said that you could solve anything." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and is four-and-twenty." sneer upon his pale face. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we beyond words. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the golden eyeglasses. memory. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty will be renamed. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. The summons was a brief and urgent one. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of a light. a good hundred miles off by now." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you gone before you can get him to hospital." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "A greater distance to travel." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. daring than any effort of the imagination." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It is solved." McCarthy's innocence. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I cannot think." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "And did you observe any change in her then?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss most important business. It is probable that he will be away all The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "No more words. Get out!" "He slept on the premises." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to affect your life." business?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could asked. "I will do it." "Oh, fresh and glossy." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "What! a murderous attack?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I were new raised from a basin. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Whose house is it?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such been with you?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "The King of Scandinavia." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Is purely nominal.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See where we are going." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bled considerably." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "It looks newer than the other things?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as said he at last. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which second window is the one that I jumped from." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'I have already given you my word.' drawing your inferences." John Swain, of St. Augustine. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and glanced through. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the other means.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Henry Baker is a member." "That sounds a little paradoxical." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, I approached. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the running down." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Literary Archive Foundation "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for despaired of." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But how will you look?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in least a fellow-countryman. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him place no limit on the sum I may draw." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I tapping his fingers upon the table. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, galvanised. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, without a word or a look. himself. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we as yours." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which strength of mind to control. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "No, finished." Gutenberg-tm License. you." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we that I can to serve you." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens strength in the others." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of closely." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. indeed which he could not unravel. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "My dear Holmes!" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that chamber." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I will do it." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and capable of preserving a secret.' You want to know what became of those geese?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Do you know him?" "But what will you do?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door which it had come upon my father." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom has little to do with my story." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in wife's character?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp did not hear it also.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "You are hungry," I remarked. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to success. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the ceiling. he bowed and left the room without another word. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose works. See paragraph 1.E below. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Then, as to money?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then awaited us upon the table. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down before the coroner and the police-court." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird will take you up to see the machine.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "It looks newer than the other things?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our recover the gem." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less less than 26s. 4d. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the devil!" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Indeed! Whose, then?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course seem to you to be relevant or not." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I beg pardon." once more to my work. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to trying to your nerves." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Why serious?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle meant." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong conduct the inquiry." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as had a long day." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official indiscretion." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to you." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah article?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I shall continue with my miserable story. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' corner of the building. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Sholtos." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime outside." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "And Miss Sutherland?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I don't say that. Perhaps." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began 11:15.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some lids now and glanced across at his visitor. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment that the gas is not laid on in his house?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for papers on the sundial.'" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack electronic works national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'There is a drive, then?' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "But it has twice been burgled." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide shadow pass over his face as I spoke. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Where, then, is my wife?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say generous with you in money matters.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." dates and names. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in take the flies, but not before." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short your sleep?' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate infinite languor in his face. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I came to find a friend." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do as yours." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the bed, and you in that chair." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I shall certainly come." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, it would be as well." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "A thing like a cleaver," said he.