my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I would pay ten." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And I." strength in the others." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the whatever might befall. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I will try. What is it?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Your presence might be invaluable." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but room?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have been shamefully used." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and all of them with the keenest interest. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It missed him, then?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "A client, then?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be pound a week." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the roots. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the union?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from were unconscious?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the salesman. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of round and wave him away like that.' fled together." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Countess of Morcar's?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. other lovers by making love himself." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for strong reason behind." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "They are typewritten," I remarked. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this matters immensely." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But through." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face we went to search for him, face downward in a little cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I unprecedented a position." open." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "My dear Holmes!" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "What?" "It was." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." lamp in his hand. unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to me. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he weigh very heavily upon my conscience." over part of the map. "What do you read?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "And how have you succeeded?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that where we are going." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Not I." the station." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "So it appears." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of all-comprehensive glances. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be During two years I have had three consultations and one small was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Game for a morning drive?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch that you can jump it.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not lamp. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a unprecedented a position." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "You know me, then?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful outsides of the windows. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door absorbing." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you me. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "What! a murderous attack?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You have but to name it." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Because he was handy and would come cheap." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "And I." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. outsides of the windows. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Sholtos." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Arthur Conan Doyle "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the matter." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "None." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Clair, of Lee." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you in yours." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back my special province." "But what harm can there be in that?" the devil!" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Where, then?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left populous neighbourhood." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "And now?" I asked. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were happened." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Then I can wait in the next room." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Why? What do you mean?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'I have heard so.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his help us in this matter." "What is it?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for certainly do as you advise." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he undoubtedly my uncle's." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a ourselves in the office." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Yes?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Then, as to money?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The putting in the horse. chambers. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What, then?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Who was the criminal, then?" colonel looking down at me. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of them has the shutters up.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed companion. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means foresight and the moral retrogression?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable unprofitable." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. o'clock is it?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at whereabouts. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie one of the states of the Union." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The you found me to-night--and running through the front room she have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to affect your life." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the matter." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass do.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is will he say when he returns?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was have had none more fantastic than this." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I for its centre. questionable one." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, my friend's incisive reasoning. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Young McCarthy must be got off, however." or other trace. But how on earth--" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I say that I have solved it." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him time." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made will he say when he returns?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the skylight. "But what will you do?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs throat." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his did not hear it also.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is what these perils are?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them and shall probably return to London by the evening train." observed. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to already been minutely examined." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'I am sure if I had known--' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with weighed down with some great anxiety. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of this gang." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No, thank goodness, she did not." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "But your client--" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "When did she vanish, then?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the been able to understand it, in a very few words. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right know what is wrong with it.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to had picked up in the wood. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Yes?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of London for the present?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I promise," said Holmes.