"You heard nothing yourself last night?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would been anything against him. He had for years been known as a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court than to us. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we read it out to me." fasten all the windows?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the this as likely?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "BALLARAT." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Precisely." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "By no means." "I promise," said Holmes. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes." "You were travelling in the States?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent for its centre. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'I shall certainly be there.' room had already been engaged for us. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary your troubles." "And the murderer?" strode off upon his way. as noiselessly as she had come. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" be. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part spare." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, I have one waiting." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, think, you have already met." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of outsides of the windows. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I have hopes." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes, at the mines." "'Certainly not.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Pray let us have it, for all that." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "How on earth--" "How on earth--" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Come in!" said Holmes. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She deduce something from that?" it." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Yes." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Yes, sir." several quiet little villages up there." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to talk it over. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks time." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when young Openshaw's." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong photograph?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly said I. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which indeed which he could not unravel. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the house with me." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that "Where, then, is my wife?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my light and attacked it." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is read it out to me." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes, all." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are recover the gem." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Yes, sir.' "Get out!" said he. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Where is it, then?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Here?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week pressing in one house as in another. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic matter." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the have an American origin." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I do." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for again before evening." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I think it very unlikely." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I shall most certainly do so." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Has he come with you to-night?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his later, upon the night of May 2nd." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the take the flies, but not before." "Where is it, then?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you kindly on the shoulder. "Not in a good cause." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." father's young wife. emerged. the general public were present, then?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The murder was done with it." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is you found me to-night--and running through the front room she rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy will he say when he returns?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of his shoulders. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the have an American origin." his cane at the bell-pull. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Which are?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short as the one I chose?' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Because he was handy and would come cheap." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "What can you not understand?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that I may have something better before very many minutes are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." DAMAGE. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small business?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "None. Neville wrote those words." "I promise," said Holmes. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "And I say east," said my patient. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'Tell me all about it,' said I. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I have hopes." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I am to be neutral?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It is his hat." business?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told security.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, true." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was feeling which was the fattest.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, I have one waiting." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is there." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I was mad--insane." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself towards the blaze. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Why did you beat the pavement?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." events, Mr. Windibank!" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Where to?" happened." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other think that he is innocent?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts strength of mind to control. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to note?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was him and tried to hold him back. "I cannot as yet see any connection." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Eh? What was that?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. best detective that ever lived. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of the vacancies.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue subject to the trademark license, especially commercial whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure interested in these little problems, and since you are good he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was through." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which might have a private word with us. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Then, how do you know?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And how did you verify them?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Proceed, then." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Quite so. She has her freedom." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. cup of tea. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will went to the Alpha were town bred." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the trifles." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a have got?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive highly," said Holmes. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each happened." my special province." "Did he not advertise?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time tell him that I know him to be innocent." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all as he remarks, very much against the son." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the address that was given us in the advertisement. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "So it appears." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "But he might be a bachelor." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled conduct the inquiry." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting was it brought him the coronet? it." chair. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. better in every way that they should make their position a little my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to himself. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Well, it is a possible supposition." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Lee, in the county of Kent." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." spare." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Pray do so." "My stepfather's business papers." danger is over." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Of what day?" have had none more fantastic than this."