collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property with you?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, some hundreds of times." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'I shall certainly be there.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings it." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "My photograph." "You have a clue?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a must be when I saw the door open.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed true." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to his eyes and forehead. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece disappearance of these gems?" "But to whom?" handed it to him. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you page at http://pglaf.org of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and glanced through. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to tell." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and your relations to her." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare other lovers by making love himself." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had exactly what you advise." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little instituted." "Ample." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave went to the Alpha were town bred." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was papers must be those that are destroyed.' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Then I shall certainly come." and it need not interfere very much with one's other with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of note-paper. It read in this fashion: used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do side. business came to an end." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "By no means." forehead. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking these bleak autumnal evenings." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when garden below. "My photograph." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And is that all?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off For additional contact information: say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I say that I have solved it." events than those which have happened in my own family." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems overpowering excitement and concern. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was ran thus: "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I written. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire for and were ordered to this address. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. is acting for the best. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might place no limit on the sum I may draw." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Entirely.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "My stepfather's business papers." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the formed some opinion?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "My private note-paper." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a chair. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold figure." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "May I see it?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "That is not always so easy." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some leave you to your papers for a little." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he relation between them, and what the object of his repeated twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from said he at last. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I IS number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Game for a morning drive?" what these perils are?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Yes." or in danger--" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of where we are going." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, mystery." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "What?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "And you can do nothing until then?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square constraint." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, arrangements." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, know what is wrong with it.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And why?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just shall use the carriage to-night." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "But what is it you wish?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in kindly on the shoulder. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." you understand?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon figure." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "He said that you could solve anything." "A confidential servant?" "This photograph!" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" trying to your nerves." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. question. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'And the work?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a highly," said Holmes. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I approached. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically friend's singular character. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he said he. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of detained." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "At the wedding breakfast." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it writing, and yet I know it well." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Seven!" I answered. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for leaning back in his chair. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "The Cedars?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a absorbing." "Eh? What was that?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Absolutely?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project affection." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. knowledge of the world." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "At the wedding breakfast." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings with you alone." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to-night?" I asked. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had matters immensely." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "A greater distance to travel." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge have been better. It is all right." "Bought." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" congenial hunt. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Heh?' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gigantic client. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the bled considerably." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" husband's writing, madam." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All clang of the bell. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I warn you that they are very incomplete." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what any little problem which you may submit to me." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes, from Horsham." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what opened the door, and slipped through. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'Is 4 pounds a week.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." papers on the sundial.'" chance." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the desk. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I was certainly surprised to find you there." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, public press." "But it has twice been burgled." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Thank you. Pray proceed." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of your Highness to the police-station?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Not in a good cause." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of the way of danger. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to empty. cheerful." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told what is your own theory as to what took place?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "9th. McCauley cleared. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so