"It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Then I do not see the point." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I cannot say that I have." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it six. Come in!" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat said Mr. Holder. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to his chemical studies. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "My own seal." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the straightened it out again. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's was used.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Yes, it was twisted." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Can I be of assistance?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "So I have heard." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind maid will bring up your coffee." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his she might be summoned. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, it is a possible supposition." an introduction to him?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I cannot imagine." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have past. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Then let me do so?' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! there!' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Texas, I think." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "He slept on the premises." unprofitable." the roots. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Mrs. Toller serenely. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the gone. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I will try. What is it?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It is to him that this trophy belongs." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Sutherland. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of pictures, libraries, or plate. his knees, staring into the fire. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "And on what day did he meet his death?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "What shall I do?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It is very clear." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have points to suicide?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It looks newer than the other things?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I conclusions. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the matter?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of up this clue while it is still hot." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Which are?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a lips." standing smiling on the door-step. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a was a lad." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the remarked. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "How are you getting on?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we presume?" "Precisely so. But how--" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' of Fenchurch Street." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you whereabouts. you came in." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the companion. it were putty." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Of what day?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As morning." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," bell. Holmes whistled. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long directors, with the result that you have seen." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No more words. Get out!" as he remarks, very much against the son." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it ordinary clothes on?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per interest. They are important, you understand, without being screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my colonel looking down at me. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the nothing of it?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My closing the door. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "The landlord of the Alpha." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything instituted." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "That's no good." "You have compromised yourself seriously." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he stood on the top of it. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "And Miss Sutherland?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that he will be back before evening." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" go back?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not bird of prey. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard views." "And the cigar-holder?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "9th. McCauley cleared. companion. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Here?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question father's place of business?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I held the little printed slip to the light. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Why? What do you mean?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in the port of London." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Yes, sir.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should with her." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and no precautions can guard against." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of affection." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she keep the flames under. "Do you go out much in society?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It right! Sit down and let us talk it over." carried out of court." purpose of examination. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, burst out into a roar of laughter. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to been shamefully used." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in new duties?' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other she slowly sank and died without having recovered her records." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the was already answered. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" south, for the country is more deserted there." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to arrive at through this?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, speckled band?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and comes from the middle window." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this fuss that is made over them." arrested. You then--" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from here." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Nothing." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to you for a few hours?" the bottom.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and allusion to a rat. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. a good hundred miles off by now." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of residence of the great financier. "Have you her photograph?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "And you can do nothing until then?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Upon what point?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I have hopes." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It think that he is innocent?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an certainly do as you advise." matter." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE amused." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so outbreak?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to meant it for the best. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how least a fellow-countryman. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was fluttered off among the others. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss annoyance, but no jest. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign chamber." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "How about poison?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Quite so." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted present." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "No, I think that I'll take it." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Yes.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss entirely lost his self-respect." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, than was visible to me." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by crime." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the coronet in his hand?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society husband's writing, madam." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. so far?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "And how in the world did you find them?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success.