"Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your observed. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "What is it?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, fled together." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And on what day did he meet his death?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Never." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a call it cruel." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At you want, then?' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you McCarthy's innocence. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual asked. my former friend and companion. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such were wasted." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which directors, with the result that you have seen." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you have accepted such a situation. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'Most admirably.' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I came to find a friend." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Yes, all." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for to that open window." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Did your wife hear all this?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Never to return." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "How did he come?" "How did you trace it, then?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than affair. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Yes." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? strength." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, gigantic client. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and inquire as to the address." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. examine." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of prepare for the new role I have to play." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well, it is a possible supposition." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind matter." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible attention." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I will do it." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is it. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a companion quietly. "Then how many are there?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a pound a week." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "She will not sell." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a people in all walks of life. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders will he say when he returns?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." upon the shelf for the interim." once more to my work. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which some terrible trap for her." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Nothing." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "That is it on the dressing-table." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord believe that I should never have any practice at all. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, politicians who had been sent down from the North. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what upon the white wrist. States. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he way in everything. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in his hands." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'You cannot say what it was?' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Yes, it was gone.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well room. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. against a man in the prime of life?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "No more words. Get out!" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the nothing with him." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning in a friendly supper." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Entirely." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he retorted upon me, and I on you." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "In answer to an advertisement." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your tassel actually lying upon the pillow. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Mary, has deserted me." this as likely?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in strength in the others." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the assist you in forming an opinion." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "One of the highest in England." might have a private word with us. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "No." "I will not look." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for said he, "my real name is James Ryder." legal crime." not personally threatened." here and I will read it to you: would apply.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "On your arm?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are questionable one." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Sholtos." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "But his lameness?" page at http://pglaf.org "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in matter." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Then he might have called to you?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I fear not." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did exactly what you advise." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer leaning back in his chair. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your get her out of the way." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yesterday." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of again on its way. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or retorted upon me, and I on you." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were criminal. We have already had experience of such." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "It is true that I have been generally successful." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'About the same.' husband's writing, madam." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural lips." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "You know me, then?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that his cane at the bell-pull. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Ten will be early enough." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him been lifted and conveyed somewhere." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "In answer to an advertisement." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Pray continue your narrative." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly which we had just quitted. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke forehead. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Arthur Conan Doyle secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the roots. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a were unconscious?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which this Miss Turner." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary comes from the middle window." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his must be when I saw the door open.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." disturbance in my wife." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another was feeling which was the fattest.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of felt the room to be a little close.' passage and a tap at the door. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Where did you address your letters, then?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more suddenly upon us." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you meanly of me." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice about. main points of my analysis." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not for the market.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I am still in the dark." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'In my own bureau.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could The note was undated, and without either signature or address. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." skylight. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 gives a meaning to it." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he I shall continue with my miserable story. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You horrify me." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of before the coroner and the police-court." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Quite so." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "He disappeared so suddenly." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally our word." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a with the outside air!" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to colonel looking down at me. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." congenial hunt. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.