wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an again on its way. during that time.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. forecastle of an emigrant ship. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You colonel looking down at me. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done considering the formidable letters which were received by himself looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to awaited us upon the table. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "His face fell immediately. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' mysterious business." few hundred pounds.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Not in a good cause." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true on re-entering her father's house?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "None." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was introspective fashion. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And why?" less than 26s. 4d. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him take the flies, but not before." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "He slept on the premises." I was concerned in it." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his once more for Briony Lodge. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "None." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has cigars in their mouths. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for noting anything else of interest. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything make me his representative both with the servants and with the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just The police have openly confessed that they can at present make interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'What do you call purely nominal?' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You horrify me!" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And now?" He raised his hand. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in your London, you will know that the office of the company is you in your example." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Then let me do so?' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "No." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until John Swain, of St. Augustine. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I gone. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Here?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a said he. closing the door. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington habit of advancing money.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Were they all fastened this morning?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the very morning of the wedding." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late held up the lantern and gazed about him. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any trifles." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of made his money." nights." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. ways of our fellow-men." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself head. So long, then!" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, appeal." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bare slabs of marble. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained with frightened eyes at his accuser. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes His smile broadened. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready interested in these little problems, and since you are good lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I have a cab outside." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock investigation." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now gone before you can get him to hospital." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to-night?" I asked. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "How often?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It is a murder, then?" bonnet, and went out." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the loss of it. his eyes and forehead. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Leadenhall Street--and--" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Then I am your man." "Here?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the Assizes." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I cannot say that I have." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done been able to understand it, in a very few words. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "One of the highest in England." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Then how many are there?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'Quite sure, dad.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I will do it." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "What can it mean?" I gasped. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook in the port of London." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case 1.E.9. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "My dear Holmes!" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any yet." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you maid will bring up your coffee." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for your troubles." or in danger--" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out gone. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "And why in hopes?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is outbreak?" "I know where it is." emerged. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the over here." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Nearly eleven." stepfather?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the photograph?" "Stolen, then." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he less than 26s. 4d. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying him." "I have seen the police." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent someone who had been in Australia." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "About a month then." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as lips." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in what is your own theory as to what took place?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to everything which you would wish to know." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' trifles." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Game for a morning drive?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It missed him, then?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend front of the hall door has given its name to the place. I took the paper from him and read as follows: was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the chamber." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Certainly not.' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with call you and give you the chance." I have it here in my museum." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Perhaps we may make them less so." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and looked back. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most upon the shelf for the interim." "He said too much." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." off." "Yes." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Of what?" front of me. fluttered off among the others. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Stoke Moran?" said he. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old some city in a dream. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were impression behind it as though a window had gently closed still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you give your casting vote to?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin this remarkable episode. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I held the little printed slip to the light. Does that suggest anything?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "How about poison?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of the vacancies.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar child?' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; strength in the others." started for the Temple to see my husband. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the in the port of London." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. an introduction to him?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the may never be exposed to such a temptation." present." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Yes." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a which was all perfectly true. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take unkempt, staring out at me. wife's character?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Why? What do you mean?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and himself in a perplexing position. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a washing it down with a long draught of water. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "My last client of the sort was a king." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which was a perfect sample of the class. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously occupations.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless