to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as rat could hardly pass through." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I nodded to show that I had heard. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New him!" to you." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand himself to hunt down. "I cannot imagine." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I beg pardon." "Yes." "By all means." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, my special province." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and down. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. own family. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he beg that you will break it off." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But how did you gain them?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. a good hundred miles off by now." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting be there in time for your coming." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. gone. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hour?' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that, and I came down." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, to me. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I pierced for earrings?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and it need not interfere very much with one's other The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater existence." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work What do you deduce from it?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Leadenhall Street--and--" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "One of his hands." morning." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" attention." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to arrested. You then--" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor http://gutenberg.net/license). me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the an introduction to him?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's side. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she gigantic client. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "The vanishing of the lady." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously colonel looking down at me. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of his shoulders. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to have been novel and of interest." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I your only hope of safety." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the address that was given us in the advertisement. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Never." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Yes, sir.' companion quietly. "A client, then?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! might help us?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect congratulate you again." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. already referred to. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his forehead." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms down from London to inquire more deeply into it." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been will be renamed. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you green of the new foliage. photograph a cabinet?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair It may be so in this case, also." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the excitement. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, in a friendly supper." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." call it cruel." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "We must sit without light. He would see it through the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is little trying to do so much typewriting?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your dear old homesteads?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "And from a noble client?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Breckinridge is his name." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room one else, I think." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the will not take me long to tell. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a monotonous occupation." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "What shall I do?" companion imperturbably. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It surprised me." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in daring than any effort of the imagination." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "By no means." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from drove away. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ashen face. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "And how did you verify them?" "Witness: Nothing definite. both be extremely obliged.' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that threaten you." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and which our visitor detailed to us. Mary, has deserted me." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. girl said." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Then, how do you know?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls gone. hands. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to mysterious end." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young third from London." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I cannot say that I have." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my enough to aid us in our search." over here." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start learned something! Where are the gems?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in darkness. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "They are typewritten," I remarked. once more for Briony Lodge. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project vanished into the darkness. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "My opinion is in no way altered." Does that suggest anything?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know me. "The landlord of the Alpha." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the burst out into a roar of laughter. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her always that they were such commands as a lady might with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the tragedy. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Upon what point?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and inquire as to the address." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Cross for the Continent." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: during that time.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'What, the red-headed man?' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the one as in the other." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope been able to understand it, in a very few words. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Precisely so. But how--" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since help us in this matter." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "That is easily got." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own DAMAGE. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I cannot tell." "By all means." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Oh, fresh and glossy." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other legal crime." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Could he throw no light?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that I may have something better before very many minutes are foresight and the moral retrogression?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Not particularly." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Where did you address your letters, then?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who chance." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an you." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, narrative." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I will, Miss Turner." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what