"I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Quite sure, dad.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very cost them two and thirty pounds." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS how narrow had been my escape. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more through." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was handed it to him. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His footfalls from the street. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I she used." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened before the coroner and the police-court." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Was the window open?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my you for a few hours?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, but China?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" good for you to do.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at thin legs towards the fire. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates disappearance of these gems?" Sholtos." which it had come upon my father." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, I have one waiting." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Yes." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are approach us with offers to donate. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'You cannot say what it was?' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now he. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had clanging. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, begun to whiten, even as mine has." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Married! When?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "10th. John Swain cleared. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I again on its way. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried character. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum one which it was hard to resist. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Then I am your man." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking maid will bring up your coffee." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Is he quiet?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. said Mr. Holder. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "In San Francisco, a year ago." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin thought that she would have been so carried away." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sufficient punishment." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Very truly yours, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "A confidential servant?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was in the dead of the night?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Will you bet, then?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and I shall be with you presently." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And I to find an enemy." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the questioning and rather startled gaze. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to affect your life." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. when your master had gone out." nice household for a young lady." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "What, then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. rose-bushes. there is a decided draught." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes, sir." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not as noiselessly as she had come. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "No legal papers or certificates?" "'You cannot say what it was?' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend it right.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I beg that you will break it off." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is I shall communicate with you." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as character. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the for the market.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." voice. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George furiously. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Then I do not see the point." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Who by?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You have the photograph?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Thank you. Pray proceed." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "And who is her maid?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I am to be neutral?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and waste of energy." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And I say east," said my patient. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should you." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady assist you in forming an opinion." was a loud and authoritative tap. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and glanced through. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing nothing of it?" where we are going." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Quite so." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The outbreak?" said he. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "He might." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "My last client of the sort was a king." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an business matters.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I cannot imagine." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. shoulder. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Witness: Nothing definite. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I my secret was safe in his possession. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I am about to be married." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was long narrative. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yes." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible better grown goose." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You did not overhear what they said?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Does that suggest anything?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works lips." would then never go into court at all." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Yes, at the mines." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, daring than any effort of the imagination." "I will do it." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed thin legs towards the fire. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, giving me time to thank him. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Where did he live, then?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the date of his supposed suicide." himself in a perplexing position. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and politicians who had been sent down from the North. own family. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' stammered. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at chill to my heart. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "One?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There nothing of it?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that, and I came down." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we official police." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "My dear Holmes!" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an them present such singular features as the strange train of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Did you become engaged then?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. matter." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'What would be the hours?' I asked. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Not yet." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that despair." "Then I shall certainly come." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and DAMAGE. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know