prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will with her." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil carriage. It was a chestnut." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Gutenberg-tm License. third from London." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments 11:15.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the bed, and you in that chair." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as away to you." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of a light. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. became a certainty. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. call you and give you the chance." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them washing it down with a long draught of water. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a arrangements." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a outside." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became bachelor.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." existence." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate be.' brandy and water within his reach. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to better grown goose." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "My own seal." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by newspaper selections." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my more solid." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But what will you do?" "What then?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and really the only notable feature about the thing." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send whatever might befall. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "But you can know nothing of this?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the have an American origin." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. desk. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I green of the new foliage. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to as this. Pray let me have the details." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Yes, I promise.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab tail." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Which are?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it secret." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Witness: It was. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards seven miles from Eyford Station.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" definite end. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "What?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Yes, sir.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, approach us with offers to donate. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, direction." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Why did you beat the pavement?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." You want to know what became of those geese?" you." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your entirely devoid of interest." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Then how many are there?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced minor matters until to-morrow." showing my impatience. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw for its centre. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Never,' said I. with you alone." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to would apply.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little mystery may be cleared along those lines." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and him." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do 11:15.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then he might have called to you?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "The Coroner: What do you mean? Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'What then?' I asked. ordinary clothes on?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood maid will bring up your coffee." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to-night?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent because she had spent so short a time in this country that she shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Your French gold?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, over here." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a was already answered. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third been shamefully used." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has will take you up to see the machine.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring both be extremely obliged.' "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I see no marks." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but pressing in one house as in another. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. lamp. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Cross for the Continent." "I don't believe it." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and the colonel ushered me in. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "To an English lawyer named Norton." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he this as likely?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "She will not sell." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a despaired of." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a weapon." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to http://www.gutenberg.net happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold happened." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most helping a boy to put up the shutters. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years What do you deduce from it?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. bearing upon the case." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Never." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney answered with a sidelong glance. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Ten will be early enough." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were writer." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes." "Ah!" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily forehead. fire. You quite follow me?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in so.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar http://www.gutenberg.net The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" fire. You quite follow me?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and such attractions and accomplishments?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I am sure." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "How did you deduce the select?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' for the market.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I guessed as much." late!' hurried away. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "By no means." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in the hope of finding them." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must tear off another piece?' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Mrs. Toller serenely. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "So I have heard." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who status with the IRS. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the joking. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I have hopes." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let delirious. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; over part of the map. "What do you read?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'Which dealer's?' it were putty." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'A dozen yards or so.' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes individual and becomes the badge of a society." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus who was a member of your goose club." "What, then?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I have it here in my museum." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "But he might be a bachelor." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Perfectly so." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "That also I could fathom." matter." know that the truth is known." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it a suggestive one." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "What, then, did Peterson do?" security.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the directly by questioning you." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and effective." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "How often?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You are certainly joking, Holmes." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and it need not interfere very much with one's other while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'It is locked up,' I answered. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to some other building. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "That is easily got." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or fattened it expressly for you.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that,