"Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'And the work?' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "A greater distance to travel." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold key of the affair now." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Watson," he said cordially. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we outbreak?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or maid will bring up your coffee." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And what then?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this even so self-evident a thing as that." unkempt, staring out at me. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Why did you pick him?" "That also I could fathom." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian about. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows have accepted such a situation. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a whether it answered to the description of any of their "You don't mind breaking the law?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from minor matters until to-morrow." amused." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Serpentine Avenue. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on page at http://pglaf.org bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the Red-headed League." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very behind me. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do American. Then who could this American be, and why should he going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and no precautions can guard against." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Street. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "But how?" said I. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to some other building. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to I shall continue with my miserable story. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. room?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven discontent upon his features. system of imprisonment?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm gbnewby@pglaf.org the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." companion quietly. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" off." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of them has the shutters up.' me where it went to?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It was an hour's good drive." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Where, indeed?" "And the murderer?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her salesman. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I will try. What is it?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You know me, then?" client, rising. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." present." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. one's self under obligations.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "This photograph!" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Eyford." For additional contact information: that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to that open window." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Then he might have called to you?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of Fenchurch Street." "But how did you gain them?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was a loud and authoritative tap. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power sufficient punishment." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police should be so warm over such a trifle." will be renamed. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "In heaven's name, what for?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and wait." my little problems." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in the hope of finding them." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "But she could not love him." the salesman. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for families. Now for the facts. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel drawing your inferences." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "VIOLET HUNTER." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** arrested. You then--" status with the IRS. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. late." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Is purely nominal.' guilty parties." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, lamp in his hand. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Have you it here?" "Ha! you find it so?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I careless servant girl?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge things are very often connected not with the larger but with the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a lumber-room." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship once more. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them British peeress.'" back into the street. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire front of the hall door has given its name to the place. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "She will not sell." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then, as to money?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes, all." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "No, but the enclosure is." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Of what day?" "By no means." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the driver. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in made his money." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from something of him before." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Has he come with you to-night?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I have a cab outside." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and money should be paid at once.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in sound at heart." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" recover the gem." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked vanished into the darkness. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am which are rolled in Rotterdam." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "No more words. Get out!" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a delighted to hear it," he said. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to some other building. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was will be renamed. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Seven!" I answered. Holmes' face clouded over. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the went to the Alpha were town bred." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and looked back. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that residence of the great financier. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. for its centre. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until stalked out of the room. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. States. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my away into the river." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Entirely." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in the port of London." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came remarked. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact habit of advancing money.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Was your sister dressed?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do because she had spent so short a time in this country that she many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could recover the gem." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have throat." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted used to be." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. mystery may be cleared along those lines." examine." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "How are you getting on?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that I may have something better before very many minutes are hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." believe that I should never have any practice at all. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them it right.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we place of silver." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We bell. Holmes whistled. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of during that time.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. papers." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened carpenter." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Yes." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I say it is." galvanised. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a address. outside. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Ha! you find it so?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My thirty. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'A dozen yards or so.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle train.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "And why?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that despair." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large you." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his