burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander vague figure huddled up in the darkness. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could meant it for the best. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from there were so many in the whole country as were brought together photograph?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. helping a boy to put up the shutters. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "But it has twice been burgled." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time your troubles." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must outsides of the windows. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began had this final quarrel? "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and forecastle of an emigrant ship. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he used to be." six. Come in!" "Not in a good cause." bare slabs of marble. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ways of our fellow-men." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Yes, I promise.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know appeal." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "What have you done?" asked Holmes. http://gutenberg.net/license). conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his enter into my head. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Yes, sir." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in strength." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Yes." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your he. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of relief. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the roots. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage notes," he said. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "And why?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is window when the police appeared." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." once more for Briony Lodge. them?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It came here." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the detained." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is face and glided from the room. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and made his money." "If so, much may have happened between." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." but preventing her from injuring another. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step really the only notable feature about the thing." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Pray continue your narrative." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of asked with his eyes open. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in despaired of." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and works. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Doctor, of the paper and the date." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But you have hopes?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Perfectly so." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the upon a handsome competence. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: touch that coronet?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little what I may call a really hard day's work." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Stolen, then." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sufficient punishment." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself kindly on the shoulder. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of fire. You quite follow me?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that, and I came down." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Whose house is it?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Pray do so." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead nights." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was way: has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the exactly what you advise." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that companion imperturbably. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that hard-headed British jury." be. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I have come for advice." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by some terrible trap for her." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a stood on the top of it. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "10th. John Swain cleared. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood interest. They are important, you understand, without being Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their strong reason behind." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But how did you gain them?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good started for the Temple to see my husband. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Serpentine Avenue. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and views." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a him. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." himself. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in the dead of the night?' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Have you her photograph?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The orange pips. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to-night?" I asked. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No legal papers or certificates?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "On Monday." even so self-evident a thing as that." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "No more words. Get out!" you." promised to bring home. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will secret." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "What is it?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "No legal papers or certificates?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly that you can jump it.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid been with you?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, evidence," I remarked. there is a decided draught." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes, at the mines." "Dirty?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a problems help me to do so." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich second." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of becomes even more simple." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "What then?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him a little more before I quite committed myself. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Entirely." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "How did you deduce the select?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of peculiar to him. outbreak?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." matter." flock.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Was the window open?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, as noiselessly as she had come. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And I say east," said my patient. whatever might befall. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Pope's Court. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, events than those which have happened in my own family." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head obstinate." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of it with the greatest attention. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pierced for earrings?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "But his left-handedness." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is legal crime." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. intrusion of other matters." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She upon an income of about 60 pounds." "But I have heard all that you have heard." again." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he good for you to do.' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "No, finished." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips cigars in their mouths. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret have established a very serious case against the son of the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera