the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And how did you verify them?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? noting anything else of interest. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each goes." skylight. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers over with notes and figures. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I am to be neutral?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend so far?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Yes.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sufficient punishment." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Pray do so." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, The summons was a brief and urgent one. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe villagers almost as much as their master. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's at once, for I have only half an hour." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "How long did she speak to this Alice?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the loss of it. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Well?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the little trying to do so much typewriting?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in back into the street. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Certainly." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some fasten all the windows?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally for its centre. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Then, how do you know?" fait accompli?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent society." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger cup of tea. must be when I saw the door open.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to what is your own theory as to what took place?" to change my dress. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a than was visible to me." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the she might be summoned. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Pray do so." of receipt of the work. must compliment you." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Gutenberg-tm License. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly father's place of business?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of obstinate." all?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "And your father? Did you tell him?" as noiselessly as she had come. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." upon the sideboard." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special 1.F. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Perfectly so." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You know me, then?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared relation between them, and what the object of his repeated endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you one else, I think." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that not, dad?" she asked. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Ten will be early enough." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was keenly on my guard against him. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey think that he is innocent?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel purpose of examination. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I beg pardon." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I think that I could be of assistance to you." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Where did you address your letters, then?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note This is what he says: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And help." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It is no ordinary one." plantation.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the is so. I know all about McCarthy." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, legal crime." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'I have already given you my word.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical The events in question occurred in the early days of my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and here and I will read it to you: and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Precisely." "And how have you succeeded?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I companion. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of Fenchurch Street." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. window when the police appeared." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "What, then, did Peterson do?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then gone before you can get him to hospital." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, there!' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my if only as a check to my own memory." where we are going." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I But Holmes shook his head gravely. with you?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax strong and stiff." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the date of his supposed suicide." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have people in all walks of life. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day bare slabs of marble. Eyford." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it awkward doing business with an alias." "Why serious?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after written, and locked the door of the office after me. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Mrs. Toller serenely. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for have established a very serious case against the son of the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as you." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. cost them two and thirty pounds." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the For additional contact information: fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over experiences." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Never." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public had formerly been in part my own. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm is so. I know all about McCarthy." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I an introduction to him?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of the way of danger. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Lee, in the county of Kent." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call his face. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." yards of it?' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with people in all walks of life. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then that the gas is not laid on in his house?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the important." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and very old mansion. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, companion imperturbably. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and had formerly been in part my own. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that nothing of it?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And what did you see?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the nonsense.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I see no marks." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of your young ladies.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" McCarthy." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. tied." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed think that any burglar could have done. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Certainly,' I answered. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version placed his cuttings. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'I am sure if I had known--' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the devil!" asked. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go investigation." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now exactly what you advise." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps against a man in the prime of life?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." only touch the interest." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Pray continue your narrative." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Street. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dates and names. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "My last client of the sort was a king." had a long day." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I shall most certainly do so." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little impression behind it as though a window had gently closed silent! Oh, he will be silent!' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes."