careless servant girl?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "And why?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square been deceived." tail." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be orange pips. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I cannot tell." best detective that ever lived. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could him." "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is very clear." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Texas, I think." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Very murderous indeed." asked. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case round with crates and massive boxes. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, charged with?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** rat could hardly pass through." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then if only as a check to my own memory." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the one else, I think." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. mystery!" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Come in!" said Holmes. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Never." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to me. You must get home instantly and act." the devil!" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. which our visitor detailed to us. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me him and tried to hold him back. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself whereabouts. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Not particularly." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my where she found matters as described by the last witness. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I will try. What is it?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. burst out into a roar of laughter. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when hands. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that but preventing her from injuring another. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You are hungry," I remarked. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and glanced through. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I them?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of the way of danger. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'I am sure if I had known--' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." respectable self." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of cigars in their mouths. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east My friend smiled. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, companion imperturbably. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "That is easily got." of campaign. "One of his hands." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "It was." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round like that before?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my has little to do with my story." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and a shock of very red hair. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Yes, all." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. outside. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the coroner come to?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two tied." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of Mr. Rucastle's." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Really! You surprise me." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "But you have hopes?" "At what time?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "And I." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. closely." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his knees, staring into the fire. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the think you a quite exceptional woman." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch in. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "That is easily got." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this straighten it?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Well, it is a possible supposition." problems help me to do so." happened." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, records." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his What do you deduce from it?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" your equipment. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it him to be an active member of the medical profession." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could floor. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of a light. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee call you and give you the chance." "Tired-looking or fresh?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six you in your example." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with some terrible trap for her." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." which it had come upon my father." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "By no means." presume?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of never will be, entirely cleared up. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was tension within him. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. individual and becomes the badge of a society." allusion to a rat. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked window when the police appeared." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the running down." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted writing, and yet I know it well." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "And I say east," said my patient. dead, shall be safe with us." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at visitors." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes, only one." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been more solid." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Where to?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." about. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very question," said Holmes, smiling. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a colour had been driven from his face. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Was there a secret marriage?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases disappearance of the bride.'" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her brought there to personate someone, and the real person is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the must be when I saw the door open.' "There are none." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I am following you closely," I answered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question them?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in McCarthy." shoulder. Literary Archive Foundation Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had call you and give you the chance." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two if she died from some sudden fright." views." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower my little problems." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel do.' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up have got?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and that threaten you." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his present." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The papers diligently of late, have you not?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, a monotonous occupation." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Street. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." think you a quite exceptional woman." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and developed." "Nothing." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when you in your example." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That is it on the dressing-table." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. them, and came down just as you departed. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "The knees of his trousers." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Seven!" I answered. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Farm upon the left." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than during that time.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No, I think that I'll take it." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns hour?' kind enough to tell me what I should do." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that threaten you." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "But you can know nothing of this?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fire. You quite follow me?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I opportunities to fix the problem. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'What are you doing there?' he asked. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the child." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can singular points about the case. What did the police think of the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad been lifted and conveyed somewhere." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of married her." upon an income of about 60 pounds." your room." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Of Friday, June 19th." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who