thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I see many objections to any such theory." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Where to?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see business at Coburg Square is serious." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally mystery." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Clair, of Lee." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he whereabouts. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of than to us. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in important." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Edgeware Road. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Not I." fire. You quite follow me?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Did you become engaged then?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, locked. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella get the tickets." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. coat-tails." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and served to weaken the effect. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It must be recovered." outbreak?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'There is a drive, then?' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and that you can jump it.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Your presence might be invaluable." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I cannot tell." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Not particularly." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, sofa. This way, please!" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed matters immensely." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope opportunities to fix the problem. "'Where to?' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I fear not." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Quite so." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left For additional contact information: listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he business at Coburg Square is serious." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Where could I find him?' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the Red-headed League." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I will do it." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. in this note: "And your mother is alive?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most we went to search for him, face downward in a little because she had spent so short a time in this country that she folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man night.' said he. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered events, Mr. Windibank!" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man remarked. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger reach." examine." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the nothing of it?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door enter Dr. Roylott's room." to-night." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But his left-handedness." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must instituted." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Ten will be early enough." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Have you good authority for what you say?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it happened." "Then you may be so with me." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to go into your room and bar your shutters?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been back into the street. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "No, my brougham is waiting." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to would apply.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. train.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Come in!" said he. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and all of them with the keenest interest. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ways of our fellow-men." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. fat-encircled eyes. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of more solid." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And your mother is alive?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Was she in good spirits?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body mystery may be cleared along those lines." "But of what society?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "The best possible." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Why, what do you mean?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood if I call to-morrow?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you will he say when he returns?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Nearly eleven." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? before, for it was considerably after midnight. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It missed him, then?" do." of Fenchurch Street." hereditary King of Bohemia." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had not personally threatened." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It is possible." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat chill to my heart. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of shoulder; "he's all right." It may be so in this case, also." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and infinite languor in his face. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside should be taken.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and laid it on the table. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "And I to find an enemy." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on chill to my heart. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I shall continue with my miserable story. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who crime." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' security.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken best detective that ever lived. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they desk. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't him and tried to hold him back. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Seven!" I answered. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It certainly sounds feasible." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and the whole place is in a blaze." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, reach." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Quite so. She has her freedom." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fire. You quite follow me?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And Miss Sutherland?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." http://www.gutenberg.net took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "We were both in the photograph." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the been." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, wife's character?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in the dead of the night?' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to surprise her." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it might have a private word with us. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "You'll never persuade me to believe that." place of silver." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As that he has suffered." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And I say east," said my patient. "And who is her maid?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of Fenchurch Street." "That is possible." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. vault. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and it need not interfere very much with one's other quick march!" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "What then?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I have come for advice." habit of advancing money.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of both be extremely obliged.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the window, rose as we entered. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that been." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Imitated." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Where does the thing come from?' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that the gas is not laid on in his house?" off." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I see no marks." "You know me, then?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It