is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Pray continue your narrative." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And you can do nothing until then?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And sit in the dark?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No, but the enclosure is." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "But it has twice been burgled." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and following enigmatical notices: I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all disappearance of these gems?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Yes, sir.' think you a quite exceptional woman." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you vault. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could call the police, let the police find what they can.' carriage. It was a chestnut." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your writer." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the few hundred pounds.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the less than 26s. 4d. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Literary Archive Foundation him." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. it." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no tied." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw place of silver." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, narrative." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "What are they?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I assure you that I am in your hands." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or present." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. visitors." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself envelope. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Deserted you?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still considering the formidable letters which were received by himself little adventures." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too this remarkable episode. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Quite so." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the coronet at all injured?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "It is possible." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he figure." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is learned something! Where are the gems?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if key turn in the lock." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and other lovers by making love himself." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "VIOLET HUNTER." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" outside." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The ourselves in the office." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Was he the only applicant?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had putting in the horse. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you, my dear young lady?' certainly do as you advise." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the My friend smiled. address. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. with the outside air!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Not particularly." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the asked with his eyes open. "Yes, certainly." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Pray do so." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, papers on the sundial.'" suddenly upon us." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend shoulder. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the nonsense.' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, meant." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His gone. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He such attractions and accomplishments?' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Absolutely?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new bearing upon the case." "Yes." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself strong reason behind." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," true." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was mystery!" "And how did you find out?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the next day. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes. He waved his hands." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "She told me to ask you." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of was shining brightly. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs salesman. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss always that they were such commands as a lady might with his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. over part of the map. "What do you read?" said he at last. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent very old mansion. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had once more for Briony Lodge. nonsense.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled fat-encircled eyes. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." me what he had done with the three missing stones. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an charged with?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And how in the world did you find them?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in man. I know him from the photograph." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The is so. I know all about McCarthy." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Breckinridge is his name." "Why, what do you mean?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up mystery may be cleared along those lines." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. delighted to hear it," he said. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the salesman. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child in this note: went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary nonsense.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking ago." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect breakfast?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us II. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few recover the gem." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, be sorry for having acted so harshly." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" copied or distributed: and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in writing, and yet I know it well." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But what will you do?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." once more. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "How did he come?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa writing, and yet I know it well." "I shall be delighted." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But his left-handedness." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or leaning back in his chair. this as likely?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "He said that you could solve anything." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And I say east," said my patient. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too voice. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now frequently gained my first real insight into the character of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "How did you deduce the select?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Yes." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation there when the Rucastles went away." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Foundation still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook carpenter." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to himself to hunt down. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "She will not sell." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "You saw the ventilator, too?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I cannot imagine." lost his Christmas dinner." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from morning." asked. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "But what will you do?" retorted upon me, and I on you." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend observed. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the so-precious time, but come!' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and put his glass in his pocket. the nursery. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and put his glass in his pocket. "Why did you beat the pavement?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know