Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: as he remarks, very much against the son." to Leatherhead. "Yes." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" room had already been engaged for us. to affect your life." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And your mother is alive?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I assure you that I am in your hands." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been her also." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I will get her to show me." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, knowledge of the world." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear third from London." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a it." if I call to-morrow?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy present." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a monotonous occupation." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing friends, not even his own brother. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and you." "And help." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Your sister is dead, then?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "So it appears." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the little opening for the ventilator is." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." questioning and rather startled gaze. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Do you know him?" fact, we may call it conclusive." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough introspective fashion. do you make of it all?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. tied." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out that you wished to speak to me?' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was crackling voice. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out were new raised from a basin. you do it in twenty minutes!' "You think so, too?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent money should be paid at once.' "My private note-paper." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "The King of Scandinavia." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would amused." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Certainly,' I answered. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to little adventures." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "No, I think that I'll take it." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and entirely lost his self-respect." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of was already answered. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Yes." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless bonnet, and went out." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed ill-usage at the hands of fortune. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." investigation." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." gone before you can get him to hospital." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, heavily into it. conceal it?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards questioning and rather startled gaze. criminal. We have already had experience of such." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Cross for the Continent." have accepted such a situation. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "To the police?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" where we are going." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, opened the door, and slipped through. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Then let me do so?' away into the river." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You have compromised yourself seriously." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." death." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Count Von Kramm." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project conduct the inquiry." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "But you can know nothing of this?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah into the room. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange seen the man in the road." "It was." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty all-comprehensive glances. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I place no limit on the sum I may draw." "But how?" true." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for my former friend and companion. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I photograph?" cigar and let me expound." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from been deceived." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she observed. than to us. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "And it is--" "No, but the enclosure is." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Ten to two.' the devil!" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" discontent upon his features. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and laid it on the table. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "And from a noble client?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Yes." man. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped with her." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two voice, changing her seat as requested. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the stones. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'You cannot say what it was?' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to have that photograph." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Yes, it was gone.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and lost nothing by them." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Quite sure, dad.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and have this put in the evening papers." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Tired-looking or fresh?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the very morning of the wedding." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his least a most suspicious remark." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see cheerful." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and looked back. have established a very serious case against the son of the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Leadenhall Street--and--" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled your troubles." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. husband's writing, madam." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. friend's singular character. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He papers." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white official police." narrative." "I never have." "You forget that I know nothing about it." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It stood on the top of it. "Yes." begun to whiten, even as mine has." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It is a murder, then?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of have I gained?" acted in my house last night?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling everything which you would wish to know." quite distinctive." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek o'clock is it?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to-night?' think, you have already met." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Was there a secret marriage?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "They are typewritten," I remarked. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and effective." strength in the others." http://www.gutenberg.net "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** bonnet, and went out." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Why? What do you mean?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would weighed down with some great anxiety. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and one of them." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "But she could not love him." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words copied or distributed: In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, row." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young what is your own theory as to what took place?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "When did she vanish, then?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Holmes' thin, eager face. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, purpose equally well?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness at a side door. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should The police have openly confessed that they can at present make silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'How far from the body?' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar