"Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "But not more so than I to find you." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided hurried by. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was young Openshaw's." his grey eyes. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with was a perfect sample of the class. go from here to the Strand." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so long narrative. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" be. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of this gang." envelope. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive events than those which have happened in my own family." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Certainly." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an little trying to do so much typewriting?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. room?" that there was nothing in it, after all." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "On your arm?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and instincts rose up against that laugh. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" crime." your only hope of safety." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I cannot say that I have." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. back to my heart. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I guessed as much." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Very truly yours, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call companion. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let you?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have I gained?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" success. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last in one or two places in England?' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to surprise her." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the galvanised. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. public press." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Will you go?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Yes." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, cheerful." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "He disappeared so suddenly." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to tell." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Then I shall certainly come." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular vague figure huddled up in the darkness. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It is very clear." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by father's place of business?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left furiously. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'About the same.' my friend's incisive reasoning. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary chair. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never way in." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And it is--" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I say that I have solved it." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Witness: I must still refuse. "Yes, at the mines." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Where is it, then?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of upon the sideboard." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The subject to the trademark license, especially commercial know all about it," he snarled. there when the Rucastles went away." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the south-west, I see." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Doctor, of the paper and the date." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for ordinary clothes on?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Nothing." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Holmes' thin, eager face. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and of the vacancies.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am question," said Holmes, smiling. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through future lives." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to questioning and rather startled gaze. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You have carte blanche." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "The knees of his trousers." 11:15.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor writers could invent nothing more crude." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Not him." the bed, and you in that chair." on in his house." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "What office?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary examination of the premises, but without finding anything which above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. sooner or later she must fall a victim. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "That also I could fathom." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let least a most suspicious remark." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and his cane at the bell-pull. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "But what will you do?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "On your arm?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What is it?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the bed, and you in that chair." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small with you alone." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It is possible." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to miss it." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of third from London." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." depend upon your compliance." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the cost them two and thirty pounds." like gravel from a pit.' pictures, libraries, or plate. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Very much so." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I have come for advice." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And keep the flames under. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was touch that coronet?' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the strength in the others." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, man. present." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's recover the gem." there has been an enclosure here!" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may business." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the roots. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" do." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that?' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "My dear Holmes!" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small him, that man would not have given me such complete information as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which lectures into a series of tales." "Who by?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Absolutely none." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been papers." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, only touch the interest." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. do you make of it all?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the address. "Really! You surprise me." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar distinguish the words: was feeling which was the fattest.' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying place, I think that there is good ground to think that the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the loss of it. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the situation." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fasten all the windows?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "How did you trace it, then?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very introspective fashion. I have it here in my museum." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Well, some hundreds of times." Dr. Gregory B. Newby smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been garden below. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fact, we may call it conclusive." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a narrative." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And I." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you direction." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is him. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so death." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining already referred to. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I will not look." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and laid it on the table. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" me." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And I to find an enemy." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of Mr. Rucastle's." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the some terrible trap for her." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "None." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a soul! here is her carriage at the door."