Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and the whole place is in a blaze." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young that you wished to speak to me?' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the salesman. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we investigation." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that I may have something better before very many minutes are light and attacked it." and all of them with the keenest interest. brain must have something in it." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Quite so." "Then, how do you know?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A soul! here is her carriage at the door." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows someone who had been in Australia." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I heavy and sharp instrument." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Yes, sir.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that down from London to inquire more deeply into it." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' this man was intellectual?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Perfectly so." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I was concerned in it." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me telegram would bring me down to your help." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are several quiet little villages up there." "'Certainly,' I answered. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he looking up at the numbers of the houses." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope that I may have something better before very many minutes are more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling it. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a like that before?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California plantation.' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party three of the beryls in it, was missing. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger eavesdroppers?' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving ways including including checks, online payments and credit card this truth that in these little records of our cases which you after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Ha! you find it so?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it American. Then who could this American be, and why should he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Is he quiet?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By nice household for a young lady." "No, I had a dozen." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "A confidential servant?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man records." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred copied or distributed: pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to disappearance of these gems?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be said I. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of within hail.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Dirty?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom certainly not very gracious." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account himself to hunt down. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the meant it for the best. address. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still think that any burglar could have done. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I never have." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** God! What an exposure! What can I do?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." lips." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It is possible." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to before the coroner and the police-court." "When did it break out?" Holmes' thin, eager face. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was face and glided from the room. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should chance at all." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to your bag." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "And now?" He raised his hand. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "What office?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the some terrible trap for her." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do you came in." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you, my dear young lady?' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the business." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had is four-and-twenty." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or closing the door. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has anything to do with the matter?" views." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "BALLARAT." "'About the same.' morning." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Yes, from Horsham." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A train.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution redistribution. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there gives a meaning to it." "Breckinridge is his name." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that this poor creature." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "No, finished." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very records." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I have it here in my museum." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next pressing in one house as in another. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Do you go out much in society?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Cross for the Continent." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a door?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "So I am. Very much so." room. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I have my revolver," said I. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was a perfect sample of the class. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Her father is very rich?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "What! a murderous attack?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned meanly of me." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The Cedars?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I exactly what you advise." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. daring than any effort of the imagination." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Yes." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, from Horsham." "The rest you will leave in our hands." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. cigars in the box." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, good for you to do.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said over part of the map. "What do you read?" knowledge of the world." or other trace. But how on earth--" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of I approached. Project Gutenberg-tm works. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the roots. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of bird of prey. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I tightly behind him. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see families. Now for the facts. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from look upon these things in a different way." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. out." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'Most admirably.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "No, distinctly professional." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But you have hopes?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'As governess?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I have come for advice." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I think it very unlikely." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the date of his supposed suicide." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest which we had just quitted. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fuss that is made over them." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And is that all?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." village inn over there?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "You have compromised yourself seriously." Eyford at 11:15.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. all?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, of your young ladies.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It certainly sounds feasible." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a south, for the country is more deserted there." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a get the tickets." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained made his money." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was is so. I know all about McCarthy." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. advice." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa out." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed touch that coronet?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for persecution?" desk. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, sparkled upon his finger. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis young Openshaw's." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It is possible." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he she used." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes, it was twisted." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I straighten it?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My upon a handsome competence. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "That was it, sir." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Come in!" said he. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and wife's character?" suddenly upon us." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Thank you. Pray proceed."