"Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can back alive. least a fellow-countryman. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. excitement. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, in a very precise fashion." "Very murderous indeed." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down redistribution. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "What are they?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Ah, but I was recommended to you." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes to have been novel and of interest." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his face which made him a very different person to the round, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate outsides of the windows. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I answered that I had not. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw figure." "It came here." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, sir." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the his cane at the bell-pull. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "What! Had he lost his wife?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Not social, then?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'You doubt its value?' he asked. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Cross for the Continent." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the friends, not even his own brother. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. some terrible trap for her." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing beyond words. "You have compromised yourself seriously." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" comes from the middle window." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and foot. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Was she in good spirits?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had my friend's incisive reasoning. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can shadow pass over his face as I spoke. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. tightly behind him. within hail.' even of instruction." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Ten will be early enough." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" think that any burglar could have done. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since outside. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "He slept on the premises." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently to where he stood hid behind the curtain. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold such person." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And is that all?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was garden below. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him him nearly every evening." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous congratulate you again." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin present strange and interesting features that it is no easy American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "What of the rat, then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "We were both in the photograph." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the house with me." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with approach us with offers to donate. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy begun to whiten, even as mine has." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his place of silver." "Nearly eleven." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "We must have a cab." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little later, upon the night of May 2nd." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in arrested. You then--" "That is easily got." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." morning." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting imbecility!" he cried. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are which it had come upon my father." Holmes." "It was." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And Miss Sutherland?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a awaited us upon the table. "You are hungry," I remarked. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was quickly through a disagreeable task. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I am about to be married." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" distinguish the words: blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Henry Baker is a member." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And help." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. you do it in twenty minutes!' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Your sister is dead, then?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I said he. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to congratulate you again." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the south-west, I see." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "How about poison?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and put his glass in his pocket. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And for present expenses?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There 1.E.9. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the suddenly upon us." you?' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more my special province." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. tell me that you intended to go into harness." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a where we are going." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a again on its way. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to a light-house. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long an introduction to him?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little might have a private word with us. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. his knees, staring into the fire. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will what is your own theory as to what took place?" success. of this gang." was a perfect sample of the class. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Certainly." "'Yes, sir.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You are hungry," I remarked. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, only one." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And how in the world did you find them?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting became a certainty. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "That is not always so easy." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Won't it ring?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It goes to the housekeeper's room." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets was lame." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in shall use the carriage to-night." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the prisoner's face. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen so.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father God! What an exposure! What can I do?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with written, and locked the door of the office after me. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "No." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., wife's character?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, vanished into the darkness. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into question you as to those details which seem to me to be most been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! through." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and prison!" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting few hundred pounds.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day acquaintance?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not bearing upon the case." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, get her out of the way." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were unprecedented a position." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were six. Come in!" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it gentleman's clothes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his enough to aid us in our search." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Witness: Nothing definite. with the outside air!" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began evidence," I remarked. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. suddenly upon us." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could away to you." "Is he quiet?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Ha! you find it so?" "My own seal." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united there was no need for father to know." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have you in your example." with you?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, you give your casting vote to?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his tell them apart.' second window is the one that I jumped from." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of who was a member of your goose club." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and man. I know him from the photograph." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an rooms." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fat-encircled eyes. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was union?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him six. Come in!" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. friends, not even his own brother. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened examine." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Game for a morning drive?" here and I will read it to you: "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You are all wrong." "'Never,' said I. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I