believe that I should never have any practice at all. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Not in the least." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are from you?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the bottom.' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. behind me. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Certainly." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine is," said he presently: misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "I have solved it." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the be best to do. vault. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely this truth that in these little records of our cases which you disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Tired-looking or fresh?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I cannot imagine." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, at my remark. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And Irene Adler?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell maiden herself was most instructive." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Absolutely none." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Well." murdered man." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of occupations.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'What do you call purely nominal?' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Certainly not.' I shall continue with my miserable story. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "What can you not understand?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Why, what do you mean?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' bell. Holmes whistled. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'Where to?' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which such attractions and accomplishments?' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I became a certainty. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest just ask you whether you had heard it.' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. them?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "She will not sell." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and your relations to her." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "But how will you look?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself You want to know what became of those geese?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an you, my dear young lady?' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, fait accompli?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I think that I could be of assistance to you." hurried away. instincts rose up against that laugh. again on its way. charge against him will break down." prison!" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is emerged. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I not within a twentieth part of the market price." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated in one or two places in England?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fled together." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not redistribution. "What can you not understand?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens been with you?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party chemical work which was so dear to him. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "No more words. Get out!" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Dirty?" investigation." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it right.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Then you may be so with me." suddenly upon us." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several fatally injured? "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most copied or distributed: great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. maiden herself was most instructive." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The what I may call a really hard day's work." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "By train from Waterloo." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact some place of shelter and let the county police know what has very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other to-night?" I asked. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "My own seal." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' little adventures." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Was he the only applicant?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." chill to my heart. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "It is possible." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police trifles." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Tired-looking or fresh?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a few minutes he said that it would be all right. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker ourselves in the office." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has go back?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been my former friend and companion. Surrey." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'And the work?' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, window when the police appeared." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and beg that you will break it off." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that threaten you." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a like gravel from a pit.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "And when will you call?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded cigars in the box." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite little adventures." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." such attractions and accomplishments?' horse could go." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Deserted you?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how lids now and glanced across at his visitor. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the telegram would bring me down to your help." salesman. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Murdered?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, rose-bushes. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Where is it, then?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now shaken than I had ever seen him. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "And who is her maid?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come directly by questioning you." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the question. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Will you go?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are our word." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. of the vacancies.' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf exactly what you advise." child?' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, colonel looking down at me. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had upon a handsome competence. your billet.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "In the cells." you." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts wife's character?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to handed it to him. "Yes, the wine-cellar." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was words came to my lips. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Ample." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What office?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "And your mother is alive?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Never." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have been better. It is all right." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had again, where I was soon asleep. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "She walked into the breakfast-room." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he that threaten you." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Stoke Moran." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some married her." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring But Holmes shook his head gravely. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed enough to aid us in our search." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "My stepfather's business papers." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Quite sure, dad.' "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "It looks newer than the other things?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now you for a few hours?" happened." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the nursery. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." http://gutenberg.net/license). which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Yes, certainly." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But the mystery?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the date of his supposed suicide." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to a light-house. used to be." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'How far from the body?' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Dark enough and sinister enough." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. know all about it," he snarled. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. in the port of London." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs cost them two and thirty pounds." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we with you alone." affection." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous father's place of business?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a disappearance of the bride.'" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the through." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "My dear Holmes!" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP which our visitor detailed to us. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Yes." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.'