The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It is possible." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set your bag." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very or other trace. But how on earth--" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true swore that no one else had been in the front room during the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Stoke Moran?" said he. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, woven round him. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set nothing of it?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my any." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "How often?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so were wasted." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And from a noble client?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You did not overhear what they said?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have your Highness to the police-station?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Look there!" said he. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I don't say that. Perhaps." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "The decline of his fortunes, then?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Nothing." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of obstinate." which was all perfectly true. I was concerned in it." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to do.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and friends, not even his own brother. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I cannot as yet see any connection." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office been lifted and conveyed somewhere." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as me. "But she will refuse." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Certainly not.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. our word." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his bachelor.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his knees, staring into the fire. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! any little problem which you may submit to me." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Have you it here?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we But Holmes shook his head gravely. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me to-night?' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You have compromised yourself seriously." kindly on the shoulder. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And you can do nothing until then?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Then I shall certainly come." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were paper in the air. assist you in forming an opinion." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" to surprise her." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "An accident, I presume?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my formed some opinion?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Never." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we time." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "So I heard. You have him here?" fear." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the over with notes and figures. annoyance, but no jest. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had nonsense.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Very good.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It asked with his eyes open. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but IS "We must sit without light. He would see it through the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, constraint." "Well?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the stable lane now." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. with frightened eyes at his accuser. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have not had my rubber." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "You are hungry," I remarked. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "So I heard. You have him here?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to have had none more fantastic than this." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without place no limit on the sum I may draw." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I was sure that I might rely on you." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'What, the red-headed man?' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." which are rolled in Rotterdam." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, DAMAGE. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Leadenhall Street--and--" "Imitated." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "How are you getting on?" the warnings." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Then how many are there?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "What!" he roared. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." digesting their breakfasts at home." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in in my life." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Not I." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of receipt of the work. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' I held the little printed slip to the light. "And how in the world did you find them?" weighed down with some great anxiety. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the obstinate." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Perfectly so." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Won't it ring?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you way: which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I him!" "But what harm can there be in that?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Munro.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Seven!" I answered. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Holmes. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. in him." "In answer to an advertisement." prison!" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'In my own bureau.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by bare slabs of marble. "The King of Scandinavia." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred danger is over." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of have an American origin." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, was shining brightly. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no matter over." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to-night?" I asked. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Frequently." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father out of this horrible affair." "I beg pardon." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "The landlord of the Alpha." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative third from London." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Pray do so." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when me, and I could not think that his explanation of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to-night?' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel opened the door, and slipped through. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and a shock of very red hair. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ready to-morrow?' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this which our visitor detailed to us. read it out to me." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors gives a meaning to it." woven round him. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They room?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning unprecedented a position." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of rose-bushes. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his following enigmatical notices: Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can time." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact way: such person." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he fat-encircled eyes. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "At the wedding breakfast." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to some other building. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Very. But will he see it?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, kindly on the shoulder. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "How about poison?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what lids now and glanced across at his visitor. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! pound a week." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "On Monday." undoubtedly my uncle's." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "His face fell immediately. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might used to be." and laid it on the table. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. http://www.gutenberg.net and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sooner or later she must fall a victim. 1.F. "Then I shall certainly come." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, your own bird, so if you wish--" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to tackle the facts." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are