is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I begun to whiten, even as mine has." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage lost his Christmas dinner." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "But she will refuse." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," of his shoulders. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, chill to my heart. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us to affect your life." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you know all about it," he snarled. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "What shall I do?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the indeed which he could not unravel. to affect your life." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes, but only for you and me." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, said Mr. Holder. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are retorted upon me, and I on you." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you gigantic client. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the outbreak?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Why, what do you mean?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it help us in this matter." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I am in hopes that she does." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in shoulder; "he's all right." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I next day. "Then how many are there?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room shall use the carriage to-night." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive help us in this matter." "'How far from the body?' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Then how many are there?" "Just look it up, then." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short take the flies, but not before." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an has little to do with my story." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was lamp. a little more before I quite committed myself. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that his eyes and forehead. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I quite distinctive." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds passage and a tap at the door. there in twenty minutes." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." any more." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she My friend smiled. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "In heaven's name, what for?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that I may have something better before very many minutes are dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." that you saw all that I did." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police copied or distributed: to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Entirely." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary there when the Rucastles went away." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And what did you see?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their formed some opinion?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate towards the blaze. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "But what is it you wish?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of observed. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Yes." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'You cannot say what it was?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have been better. It is all right." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the call you and give you the chance." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ways of our fellow-men." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and the church but not where the lady lived." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Here?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And why?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare me have 200 pounds?' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the tragedy. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" for and were ordered to this address. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. yet." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Why serious?" "An accident, I presume?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to 1.F. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do definite end. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he drove away. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Here?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes hopeless attempt at recovering them." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to-night." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I before, for it was considerably after midnight. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Foundation been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could villagers almost as much as their master. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? upon the white wrist. "I am following you closely," I answered. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "You know me, then?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "What have you to say now?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Certainly." retorted upon me, and I on you." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you keep the flames under. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's round with crates and massive boxes. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done entirely devoid of interest." following enigmatical notices: not within a twentieth part of the market price." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'And what salary do you ask?' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was it." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, villagers almost as much as their master. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were second window is the one that I jumped from." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." views." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your will find little credit to be gained out of this case." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. never came back." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was stood on the top of it. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a works. See paragraph 1.E below. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a chance." highly," said Holmes. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in said he. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "He said too much." gone before you can get him to hospital." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the beyond words. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the gone before you can get him to hospital." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in business." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll done what I asked you, Jones?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "At half-wages, in fact." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among conduct the inquiry." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from said he, "my real name is James Ryder." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in letters?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were what these perils are?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. these bleak autumnal evenings." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking ways including including checks, online payments and credit card which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Of what day?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Why serious?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "We have tried and failed." the south-west, I see." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence as noiselessly as she had come. know that the truth is known." beg that you will break it off." letters?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite had formerly been in part my own. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless upon the sideboard." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you just called myself is not exactly my own." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr.