claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return look dissatisfied." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may way in." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. fire. You quite follow me?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his cane at the bell-pull. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Then, how do you know?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he standing smiling on the door-step. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower as the one I chose?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted astonishment. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" strong and stiff." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to about here speaks of his kindness to him." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "And that is--" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "But how did you gain them?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young a very grave face. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And gigantic client. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your imbecility!" he cried. "Then he might have called to you?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hurried away. memory. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted note?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Very murderous indeed." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own threw himself down with his face to the pillow. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. himself to hunt down. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very chair. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gone before you can get him to hospital." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "He disappeared so suddenly." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the walking." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, my former friend and companion. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which it had come upon my father." particular state visit http://pglaf.org I. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. golden eyeglasses. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital would apply.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "But his lameness?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What! a murderous attack?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I cannot tell." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet best detective that ever lived. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of whereabouts. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Where does the thing come from?' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Clair, of Lee." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold go--none." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story God! What an exposure! What can I do?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with her." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "May I see it?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me indiscretion." Holmes rather sternly. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. corner of the building. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "My opinion is in no way altered." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the own family. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, upon the sideboard." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his your sleep?' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion case-book, which he consulted. it right.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not this Miss Turner." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "No." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has astonishment. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon means taking possession of that which another person has a prior go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of them has the shutters up.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No sign of it?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and o'clock is it?" business?" whole matter to your consideration." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It is his hat." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "But I am all in the dark." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an a suggestive one." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "That is possible." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. noble correspondent could be. gone. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dead, shall be safe with us." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And how did you verify them?" it. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the certainly do as you advise." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found has little to do with my story." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker three fields round his house, and there he would take his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a think you a quite exceptional woman." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her laugh and put his lips to my ear. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "In heaven's name, what for?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that you wished to speak to me?' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf telegram would bring me down to your help." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish tassel actually lying upon the pillow. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for here." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on likely to be some crony of the landlady's." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon pierced for earrings?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the following enigmatical notices: License. You must require such a user to return or he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might again on its way. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to other means.' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and glanced through. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'I am sure if I had known--' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, crime. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" intrusion of other matters." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Then I can wait in the next room." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I promise," said Holmes. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sound at heart." feature." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There points to suicide?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Very murderous indeed." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the stable lane now." "When did she vanish, then?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Certainly." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled have got?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Certainly." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Did your wife hear all this?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." congratulate you again." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fasten all the windows?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "In answer to an advertisement." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. have accepted such a situation. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with again, where I was soon asleep. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course happened." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, throat." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have got?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You have a clue?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man mystery!" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Miss Holder?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Have you good authority for what you say?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Is he quiet?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Ample." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. walking." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the station." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against pictures, libraries, or plate. few hundred pounds.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came down from London to inquire more deeply into it." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. more terrible than the truth. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and laid it on the table. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Of what?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and new duties?' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a light and attacked it." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. go--none." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the very morning of the wedding." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "There are none." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a train.' think you a quite exceptional woman." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Holmes' thin, eager face. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to a light-house. "Why serious?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, approach us with offers to donate. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "What!" he roared. note?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." is," said he presently: "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and golden eyeglasses. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bird I ate is country bred." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Why did you beat the pavement?" gone before you can get him to hospital." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and