"Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "How did you deduce the select?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily situation." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of them, and came down just as you departed. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "But you can know nothing of this?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her meanly of me." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Yes, from Horsham." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "An enemy?" "And for present expenses?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "He might." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to should be taken.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. there when the Rucastles went away." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Young McCarthy must be got off, however." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case what I may call a really hard day's work." events than those which have happened in my own family." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "No." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'As governess?' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I know where it is." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "No." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after guilty one." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "What! Had he lost his wife?" a monotonous occupation." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than purpose of examination. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his neither fascinating nor artistic." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it voice. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The Cedars?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother written. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Pope's Court. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of security.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and inquire as to the address." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "No good news?" your Highness to the police-station?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you charge against him will break down." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet child?' "Only as much as we can deduce." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. companion imperturbably. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot excitement. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to have been novel and of interest." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and there in twenty minutes." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Not him." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, The King stared at him in amazement. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. held up the lantern and gazed about him. flock.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to them?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's other means.' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "No, I am descending." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the must be when I saw the door open.' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, hereditary King of Bohemia." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "To an English lawyer named Norton." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back who was a member of your goose club." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So cost them two and thirty pounds." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The easy-going way." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the night.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up signal between you and your father? as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while your own bird, so if you wish--" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Holmes' thin, eager face. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Texas, I think." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said arrested. You then--" details." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You are hungry," I remarked. with her." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Stolen, then." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his little adventures." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "To the police?" strong reason behind." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And that is--" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Never.' Holmes' room. "Yes." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Quite so. She has her freedom." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa wanted for ourselves." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 1.F. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save outside. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a front of me. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was paper in the air. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Countess of Morcar's?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Just look it up, then." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the for securing the situation." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is wife's character?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the stable lane now." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "No, thank goodness, she did not." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his charge against him will break down." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. closely." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past presented which may be striking and bizarre without being gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I have it here in my museum." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding became a certainty. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length without a word or a look. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much do.' "Yes." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "And help." possible that we could bring him back to her? dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Do you know him?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in extraordinary contortions. meant." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Not in the least." sooner or later she must fall a victim. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & your sleep?' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Perhaps I have." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And how?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and put his glass in his pocket. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle yards of it?' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Where did he live, then?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "At what time?" fear." "Where, indeed?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Have you her photograph?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'I have already given you my word.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" shall not find me ungrateful." "Absolutely none." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body within hail.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Eh? What was that?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Dr. Gregory B. Newby occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you present." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." undoubtedly my uncle's." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the ceiling. shoulder. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very washing it down with a long draught of water. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Really! You surprise me." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two I nodded to show that I had heard. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "In answer to an advertisement." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the question," said Holmes, smiling.