of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Upon what point?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out roused himself from his reverie. at home. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up tail." Pope's Court. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the bachelor.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the driver. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the general public were present, then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. your Highness to the police-station?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days most interesting one." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My happened." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And from a noble client?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Where did he live, then?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the dangers which encompass me." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. is so. I know all about McCarthy." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came upon the white wrist. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for questionable one." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our unclasping of his long thin hands. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," down. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Leadenhall Street--and--" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Have you good authority for what you say?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in the dead of the night?' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are him to be an active member of the medical profession." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your which should have the effect of calling the attention of the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Ten to two.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in security.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "And why in hopes?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "But to whom?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so at my remark. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this off." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "It certainly sounds feasible." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes, but only for you and me." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring business matters.' "I guessed as much." notes," he said. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Not social, then?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "So I have heard." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "You are all wrong." everything which you would wish to know." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "No, thank goodness, she did not." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'Where to?' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his morning." it with his own hands." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "My Mary? Impossible!" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between footfalls from the street. me where it went to?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over man. I know him from the photograph." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bled considerably." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt gigantic client. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Whose house is it?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the inquest, and which are worth considering." if I call to-morrow?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Witness: Nothing definite. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, gbnewby@pglaf.org one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Bought." IS anything to a woman, for she would have her way." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean into the bag, and made for the door. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, he died? stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, standing smiling on the door-step. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Stoke Moran?" said he. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in the dead of the night?' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between new duties?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's in. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to main points of my analysis." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, bears upon the case?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I am following you closely," I answered. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "To an end?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think purpose of examination. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing night.' said he. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "My stepfather's business papers." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and looked back. appeal." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save shall use the carriage to-night." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "You saw the ventilator, too?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the tragedy. the little opening for the ventilator is." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Yes." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, quick march!" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the date of his supposed suicide." "But not more so than I to find you." relief. "And what did you see?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No, finished." he. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It missed him, then?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that congenial hunt. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is which we had just quitted. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is trifles." call you and give you the chance." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great walking." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions grasp, he hurried from the room. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No, I am descending." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the little opening for the ventilator is." it. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My means taking possession of that which another person has a prior hurried away. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My tell him that I know him to be innocent." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of Fenchurch Street." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, strength of mind to control. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that putting in the horse. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the train.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Absolutely none." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes asked with his eyes open. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "None." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were October 9, 1890. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. eavesdroppers?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian bird of prey. but preventing her from injuring another. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the row." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But down from London to inquire more deeply into it." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." spare." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check will not take me long to tell. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Then you may be so with me." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that there were one or two details which were new to me. But the less than 26s. 4d. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind meanly of me." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Texas, I think." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of that threaten you." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it village inn over there?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Serpentine Avenue. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and your relations to her." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By clanging. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch six. Come in!" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon horse could go." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "She will not sell." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with