the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "On your arm?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official until night should bring an explanation. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'There is a drive, then?' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange father's place of business?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would experiences." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which there." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in this way: you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and all that?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? he. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "To the police?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I don't believe it." salesman. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." any." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the south-west, I see." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem lips." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And leave your case unfinished?" lamp in his hand. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it 'I should be able to look after that for you.' what these perils are?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room call the police, let the police find what they can.' have one." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works thirty. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to instincts rose up against that laugh. the so-precious time, but come!' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "But you were on a friendly footing?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel companion. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or approach us with offers to donate. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the little opening for the ventilator is." new duties?' rooms." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own you understand?" views." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do God! What an exposure! What can I do?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "But of what society?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you of the way of danger. "And when will you call?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so retorted upon me, and I on you." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'Yes, sir.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would forecastle of an emigrant ship. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the your Highness to the police-station?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Lee, in the county of Kent." quickly through a disagreeable task. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "You have the photograph?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the bed, and you in that chair." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was do." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man it with his own hands." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened my little problems." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my as the one I chose?' the Red-headed League." woven round him. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to-night?" I asked. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when vanished into the darkness. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely allusion to a rat. go--none." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done intimate personal affairs in this public manner." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yesterday." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" late." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Then you may be so with me." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very little adventures." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "How can you tell that?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's foresight and the moral retrogression?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to arrested. You then--" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And from a noble client?" "Where did he live, then?" "What have you to say now?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It was an hour's good drive." strong and stiff." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" been with you?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her father's young wife. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the before, for it was considerably after midnight. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. like that before?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I know where it is." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in ourselves in the office." it." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from place of silver." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a into the bag, and made for the door. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared me. You must get home instantly and act." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do there when the Rucastles went away." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up or in danger--" "Not him." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You are hungry," I remarked. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It was." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Your sister is dead, then?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the village inn over there?" "Look there!" said he. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. most interesting one." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Countess of Morcar's?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would some terrible trap for her." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the salesman. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "That was it, sir." you came in." "Very. But will he see it?" ceremony." "That's no good." at home. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Just look it up, then." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a shaken than I had ever seen him. "Where is it, then?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his against a man in the prime of life?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in compunction about shooting them down." address. outside." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and guilty one." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "There is the writing." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer your room." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of a light. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and I shall be with you presently." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Ample." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But I am all in the dark." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his locked. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I have come for advice." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not she used." be. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "No, I am descending." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But who is he?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to talk it over. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third not, dad?" she asked. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought presume?" "No." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yes. He waved his hands." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Do you know him?" The King stared at him in amazement. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that I can to serve you." here and I will read it to you: 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "And how did you find out?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and What do you deduce from it?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "How do you know, then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. forbidden door. light and attacked it." words came to my lips. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich were new raised from a basin. suspect him." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands papers on the sundial.'" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "That is unusual in a young girl." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "That is not always so easy." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "So it appears." three of the beryls in it, was missing. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a has little to do with my story." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "His face fell immediately. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to talk it over. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that away to you." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am papers must be those that are destroyed.' fluttered off among the others. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is pierced for earrings?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Certainly, madam." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man