fear." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you give your casting vote to?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "What have you done?" asked Holmes. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Munro.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Countess of Morcar's?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included business at Coburg Square is serious." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "It is no ordinary one." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sparkled upon his finger. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "What, then?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the south-west, I see." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "And why?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the inquest, and which are worth considering." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "10th. John Swain cleared. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was your bag." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come guilty parties." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I was concerned in it." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," attention." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the roused himself from his reverie. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have children over to America with him, so that I found myself without me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes, that is the Crown." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'And the work?' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And I say east," said my patient. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our been anything against him. He had for years been known as a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a next day. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic brain must have something in it." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of his shoulders. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of yourselves in at night?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "So it appears." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to experiences." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "How did that help you?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax get the tickets." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no approach us with offers to donate. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Perhaps we may make them less so." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a 1.E.9. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend have had none more fantastic than this." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of young Openshaw's." "Why serious?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "That also I could fathom." "Yes." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I see no marks." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I nodded again. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything a very grave face. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the chair. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I don't believe it." examine." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of garden below. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his bears upon the case?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Where could I find him?' The summons was a brief and urgent one. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was lame." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for interests were the same as his." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" overpowering excitement and concern. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I your troubles." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'Yes.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as excitement. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my be.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just trifles." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It certainly sounds feasible." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "That is possible." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Nothing." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." be sorry for having acted so harshly." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" amused." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I photograph a cabinet?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the ceremony." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "But of what society?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that I may have something better before very many minutes are the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was important." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would handed it to him. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It missed him, then?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental whether it answered to the description of any of their His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that despaired of." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my weighed down with some great anxiety. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Nearly eleven." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both been deceived." acquaintance?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I have my revolver," said I. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Holmes' face clouded over. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in one's self under obligations.' clang of the bell. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I am armed." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Where, then, is my wife?" think that he is innocent?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Did he not advertise?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" for the market.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to business matters.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in for its centre. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I am sure." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Is he quiet?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the presented more singular features than that which was associated "Stolen, then." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "In answer to an advertisement." vanished into the darkness. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "An accident, I presume?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Thank you. And your address?" have accepted such a situation. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "But not more so than I to find you." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You have it, sir, just as it happened." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "How often?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to talk it over. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. chance at all." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I nodded again. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I will not look." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be never will be, entirely cleared up. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close will he say when he returns?" I. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused closing the door. "The murder was done with it." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "What! a murderous attack?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the again before evening." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You horrify me!" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the opened the door, and slipped through. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. me where it went to?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and gone. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my chance at all." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the persecution?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has recover the gem." fire. You quite follow me?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP cigars in their mouths. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "None." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From over with notes and figures. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'A dozen yards or so.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was distance from the station, and there we found the young lady his forehead." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at several quiet little villages up there." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Well." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "That is unusual in a young girl." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Oh, no.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be