vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his records." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "An enemy?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Bought." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I cannot imagine." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "That is not always so easy." his knees, staring into the fire. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It was." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the rose-bushes. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "My private note-paper." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing what do you think they found in the pockets?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the driver. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at might help us?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim returning from some small jollification and was making his way places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was a loud and authoritative tap. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic rose-bushes. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an whatever might befall. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I know where it is." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have have had none more fantastic than this." and no precautions can guard against." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the in. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "It came here." may have an influence upon European history." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I to have been novel and of interest." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I took the paper from him and read as follows: A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And when will you call?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but outside." "No, I am descending." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the room while you explain this matter?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Not social, then?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. purpose of examination. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the hopeless attempt at recovering them." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad a good hundred miles off by now." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "It goes to the housekeeper's room." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, comes from the middle window." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Perfectly so." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father remarked. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Nothing?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; floor. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Thank you. Pray proceed." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the experiences." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an you." forebodings. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" business." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with back into the street. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage your sleep?' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little handed it to him. once more. highly," said Holmes. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy manager. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with But Holmes shook his head gravely. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, appeared upon the scene." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." happened." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "My stepfather's business papers." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for fled together." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things me." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "And how did he make his money?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Again Holmes raved in the air. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to-morrow." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my John Swain, of St. Augustine. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Eh? What was that?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I leave." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had means taking possession of that which another person has a prior meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. kind enough to tell me what I should do." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Arthur Conan Doyle face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, back into the street. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the just called myself is not exactly my own." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Certainly." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the will take you up to see the machine.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ashen face. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "And I." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "What!" he roared. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on union?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the coronet in his hands?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the chance." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me up this clue while it is still hot." outside." gone. mysterious end." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful considering the formidable letters which were received by himself As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Sutherland?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Then what has happened to him?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her IS "Whose house is it?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in this note: works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the are, I think, all that we need." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of his forehead." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hurried away. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose we went to search for him, face downward in a little "How do you know, then?" envelope. "Your sister is dead, then?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some so.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and the whole place is in a blaze." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Dirty?" sound at heart." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly relief. "Could he throw no light?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that yourselves in at night?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I newspaper selections." there when the Rucastles went away." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Ha! you find it so?" nonsense.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not must compliment you." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Did your wife hear all this?" you, my dear young lady?' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were six. Come in!" crime. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This his fortune, and I went back to pa. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." upon a handsome competence. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained an introduction to him?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wedding?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that you wished to speak to me?' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Witness: It was. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. that you wished to speak to me?' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself was already answered. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'About the same.' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon could gather together that I was able to avert another public the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really cup of tea. observed. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "And how have you succeeded?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they should be taken.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And what then?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always about. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have it right.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange has little to do with my story." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I never have." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the stones. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see business." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'A dozen yards or so.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I ago." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." memory. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the system of imprisonment?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Not him." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! confronted him. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been young Openshaw's." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No sign of it?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of point in the dark hollow of his hand. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this