not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between was it brought him the coronet? "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by you do it in twenty minutes!' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been never came back." "It was an hour's good drive." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or ways of our fellow-men." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good keep the flames under. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the dangers which encompass me." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him your most interesting statement." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we thought that she would have been so carried away." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Game for a morning drive?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a look dissatisfied." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "There are none." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your highly," said Holmes. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at time." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "A greater distance to travel." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "How many? I don't know." "Yes?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "That's no good." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "And leave your case unfinished?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, least a fellow-countryman. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "May I see it?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I fear not." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At will not take me long to tell. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. second." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and put his glass in his pocket. "'And the work?' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads one or two very singular points about this room. For example, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which fear." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." business came to an end." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Arthur Conan Doyle is now desirous of getting those letters back." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And leave your case unfinished?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been guilty one." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring later, upon the night of May 2nd." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a morning." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to tell." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "To an end?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to there was no need for father to know." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "How did he come?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square would apply.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You have a clue?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Was there a secret marriage?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "None." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a bird I ate is country bred." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is detective. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But not more so than I to find you." "He said too much." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Really! You surprise me." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into is entirely a question of barometric pressure." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Sholtos." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'What then?' I asked. "Come in!" said he. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." dramatic, in fact." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It is so. I know all about McCarthy." "But what is it you wish?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from row." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Sutherland. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I interested in these little problems, and since you are good crackling voice. evidence," I remarked. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "My own seal." "You think so, too?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And your mother is alive?" least a fellow-countryman. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I cannot imagine." within hail.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his directly by questioning you." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon absorbing." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I generous with you in money matters.' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and back alive. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you undoubtedly my uncle's." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. that, and I came down." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And you don't know his address?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime cause to be." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to present." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "And leave your case unfinished?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind joking. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the child." this Miss Turner." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Who was the criminal, then?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he infinite languor in his face. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the one as in the other." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in security.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The King stared at him in amazement. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from remarked. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I nodded again. good-night and bustled off upon her way. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Look there!" said he. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and at a side door. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at think that he is innocent?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always individual and becomes the badge of a society." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. whole matter to your consideration." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'About the same.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Not him." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of article?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the station." "We were both in the photograph." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may it. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Nothing." "Your French gold?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, locked." "Tired-looking or fresh?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking taking in every detail of the apartment. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to affair. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Edgeware Road. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have one." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Where is it, then?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Come in!" said he. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." cigars in their mouths. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built assist you in forming an opinion." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "About a month then." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort than to us. and effective." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled here." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" to tackle the facts." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the lamp in his hand. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he not interfere, come what may. You understand?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, photograph?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "How on earth--" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and whereabouts. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Really! You surprise me." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and