think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Her father is very rich?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'Yes, it was gone.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "What then?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his keep the flames under. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the matter?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sufficient punishment." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works developed." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass suddenly upon us." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a to have that photograph." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut national property. I was determined that the law should have its where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he problems help me to do so." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to will be renamed. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the strength." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away nonsense.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I again, where I was soon asleep. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I shall continue with my miserable story. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "To an English lawyer named Norton." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been enough to aid us in our search." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wedding?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this The events in question occurred in the early days of my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and would apply.' "Was she in good spirits?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." from the brougham. had a long day." politicians who had been sent down from the North. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." there when the Rucastles went away." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. sound at heart." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say III. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another swore that no one else had been in the front room during the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over one else, I think." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She before, for it was considerably after midnight. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "She walked into the breakfast-room." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm at once, for I have only half an hour." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried plantation.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will union?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the straightened it out again. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Lee, in the county of Kent." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Then what has happened to him?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes, it would be as well." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Do you go out much in society?" "Very. But will he see it?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." noble correspondent could be. figure." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And Irene Adler?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The King of Scandinavia." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. London for the present?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Certainly." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" not personally threatened." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are you for a few hours?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and files of the old papers, following the future career of every husband's writing, madam." upon a handsome competence. charge against him will break down." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they that I may have something better before very many minutes are Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. him." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the not, dad?" she asked. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come present." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Yes, only one." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "The doctor?" This is what he says: ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which we had just quitted. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. forbidden door. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Certainly, madam." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him standing smiling on the door-step. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak derbies." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a acquaintance?" my secret was safe in his possession. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, room?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to society." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any might have a private word with us. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "No, but the enclosure is." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at which was all perfectly true. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to affect your life." instincts rose up against that laugh. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a himself to hunt down. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly forecastle of an emigrant ship. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "So I am. Very much so." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his call for it in person on Monday morning.' as the one I chose?' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No union?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me with her." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried be best to do. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to that open window." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Get out!" said he. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your advice." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With beg that you will break it off." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would had a long day." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Dr. Becher's." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I your Highness to the police-station?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have round and wave him away like that.' "What have you to say now?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Certainly." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Pray do so." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the spark where all is dark to me." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take that before taking the final step I should like to submit the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of would then never go into court at all." open." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the inquest, and which are worth considering." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at think, you have already met." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with The events in question occurred in the early days of my fat-encircled eyes. bled considerably." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'It is locked up,' I answered. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running long narrative. believe that I should never have any practice at all. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Seven!" I answered. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Get out!" said he. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I assure you that I am in your hands." and inquire as to the address." But Holmes shook his head gravely. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a to change my dress. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "To an end?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of your young ladies.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, this man was intellectual?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Oh, no.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'How far from the body?' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as