themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Thank you. Pray proceed." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Indeed! Whose, then?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged best detective that ever lived. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the which are rolled in Rotterdam." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" experiences." with her." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were bears upon the case?" "I don't believe it." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not key of the affair now." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to cigars in their mouths. amused." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold detained." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in darkness. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but lips." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had other, as fresh and trim as possible. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I cannot think." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "It missed him, then?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure weapon." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Here?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. there." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Thank you. Pray proceed." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is triumphant cloud from his cigarette. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out never will be, entirely cleared up. "And why in hopes?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, breakfast." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Ha! you find it so?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the your room." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I leave." danger is over." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Certainly not. But why?' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in extraordinary contortions. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "The landlord of the Alpha." "I cannot imagine." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the 11:15.' "Who by?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid must be when I saw the door open.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical cheerful." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'You cannot say what it was?' public press." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such if only as a check to my own memory." "Imitated." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few corner of the building. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned affair. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. this man was intellectual?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "My last client of the sort was a king." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were new acquaintance to Baker Street. directly by questioning you." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and you in yours." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "To an English lawyer named Norton." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the sufficient punishment." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore opportunities to fix the problem. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was views." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I never have." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now attention." "No, I had a dozen." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "And help." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I cannot tell." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Indeed! Whose, then?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at points in connection with it which never have been, and probably printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward in this way: entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for neither fascinating nor artistic." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Not social, then?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an http://gutenberg.net/license). "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. copied or distributed: security.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, cheerful." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Yes." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "It surprised me." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I daring than any effort of the imagination." of a light. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom like gravel from a pit.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For giving me time to thank him. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp she slowly sank and died without having recovered her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very public press." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "You have the photograph?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the ceiling. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I don't believe it." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I cannot imagine." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with do.' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Chief Executive and Director fish-monger and a tide-waiter." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Dr. Gregory B. Newby servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may rose-bushes. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The best possible." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may sparkled upon his finger. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to locked." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the true." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it young Openshaw's." Foundation in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the general public were present, then?" "By train from Waterloo." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens you in your example." of the vacancies.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And from a noble client?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. undoubtedly my uncle's." over here." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I will get her to show me." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the hour." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes, only one." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "May I see it?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming you?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have been better. It is all right." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but are, I think, all that we need." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It is very clear." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Where could I find him?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his fashion which was peculiar to him. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I crime. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw child?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Holmes' thin, eager face. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, as yours." "'It is locked up,' I answered. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself it right.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her trifles." his grey eyes. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a second." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in showing my impatience. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Was there a secret marriage?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I should wish to." coat-tails." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled leave you to your papers for a little." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wall." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With him and tried to hold him back. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I am armed." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "The Coroner: What do you mean? aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be signal between you and your father? It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I never have." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to a light-house. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, how narrow had been my escape. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who