"What then?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And I say east," said my patient. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes, it was twisted." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Frequently." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful James Windibank. Voilà tout!" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would likely to be some crony of the landlady's." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that 'please.'" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which infinite languor in his face. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Very. But will he see it?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other felt the room to be a little close.' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" gbnewby@pglaf.org thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before morning." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet detective. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I will not look." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Miss Holder?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon be.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door chair. The summons was a brief and urgent one. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I shall most certainly do so." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial pierced for earrings?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" you?' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the digesting their breakfasts at home." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I never came back." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey there is a decided draught." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain highly," said Holmes. vanished into the darkness. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have not had my rubber." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and put his glass in his pocket. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door certainly do as you advise." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he written. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'I have heard so.' of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "10th. John Swain cleared. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Is he quiet?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my his huge brown hands. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. gentleman's clothes. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the one as in the other." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his might help us?" sound at heart." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing back alive. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see fat-encircled eyes. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to are windows in it, of course?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have is acting for the best. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little front of me. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the more terrible than the truth. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" for its centre. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. which our visitor detailed to us. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope your only hope of safety." McCarthy's innocence. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank were wasted." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "In heaven's name, what for?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "But how will you look?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it know what is wrong with it.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No bad?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the get the tickets." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the coronet at all injured?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich here and I will read it to you: house for five minutes.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about four million human beings all jostling each other within the in this way: "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the in darkness. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let chance." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs invisible to me," I remarked. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "No." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. experiences." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy photograph a cabinet?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from do.' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' seen the man in the road." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "We were both in the photograph." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the salesman. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I cannot tell." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. awaited us upon the table. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's was a lad." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "But not more so than I to find you." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, it was twisted." lost his Christmas dinner." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Were they all fastened this morning?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit it." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the loss of it. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Where, indeed?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by exactly what you advise." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always meant it for the best. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was excitement. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in less than 26s. 4d. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "There are none." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should fire. You quite follow me?" "The landlord of the Alpha." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "And you don't know his address?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into because she had spent so short a time in this country that she disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred have got?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Holmes rather sternly. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Yes, I promise.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the morning and make my own way in the world.' fait accompli?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Nothing." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature families. Now for the facts. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he exactly what you advise." "Of what?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" obstinate." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there character. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "But how did you gain them?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I fait accompli?" bedroom door." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Murdered?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I enough to aid us in our search." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the experiences." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." appeal." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across noble correspondent could be. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which himself to tell his story. "No sign of it?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "How did he come?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in once more. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a sofa. This way, please!" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, he did." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not skylight. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Your French gold?" "Not particularly." "How about poison?" the inner apartment." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and as noiselessly as she had come. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and capable of preserving a secret.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "There is the writing." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine What do you deduce from it?" and capable of preserving a secret.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee companion imperturbably. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Proceed, then." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did forebodings. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really be sorry for having acted so harshly." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." with some details as to your case." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well."