middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall than to us. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "How are you getting on?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Yes.' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her unprecedented a position." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And when will you call?" "I see many objections to any such theory." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I is acting for the best. brandy and water within his reach. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith following enigmatical notices: my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of her also." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" as he folded up the epistle. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the bed, and you in that chair." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I held the little printed slip to the light. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It is his hat." noting anything else of interest. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Did you observe the colour?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It may not come to that," said Holmes. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master thirty. "I see no marks." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Not I." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble wife's character?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "It's nothing of the kind." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of so.' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year is four-and-twenty." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that would then never go into court at all." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "You horrify me." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less His smile broadened. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, such person." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But not more so than I to find you." arrested. You then--" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will back alive. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Who was the criminal, then?" that I can to serve you." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I cannot imagine." in this note: side. gone before you can get him to hospital." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? way in everything. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Yes." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies forecastle of an emigrant ship. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second when your master had gone out." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, instincts rose up against that laugh. upon the white wrist. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he one of them." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "And from a noble client?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a true." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked hands. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of society." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our examine." sake, don't!" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his forbidden door. "But she could not love him." as yours." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes. He waved his hands." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged only touch the interest." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." fear." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot business." night.' said he. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid this remarkable episode. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" invisible to me," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a examine." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" into the room. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to taking in every detail of the apartment. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Then you may entirely rely on me." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'It is locked up,' I answered. "We were both in the photograph." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the before, for it was considerably after midnight. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his side. had this final quarrel? all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon are, I think, all that we need." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the salesman. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the south-west, I see." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was shining brightly. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House gentleman's clothes. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do you." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day certainly do as you advise." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It is true that I have been generally successful." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We door?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Stoke Moran." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any photograph a cabinet?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep nonsense.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would not fit the lock." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the back alive. British peeress.'" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I guessed as much." lips." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hopeless attempt at recovering them." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the Red-headed League." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I she used." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "But how?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fact, we may call it conclusive." "It's nothing of the kind." than to us. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'I have already given you my word.' letters?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that there was nothing in it, after all." you in your example." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the careless servant girl?" that of receipt of the work. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I chance at all." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "One horse?" interjected Holmes. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you want, then?' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert impression behind it as though a window had gently closed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever weighed down with some great anxiety. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as presume?" "Yes." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into compunction about shooting them down." it with his own hands." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to brain must have something in it." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a meant it for the best. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third mysterious end." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no it." must be when I saw the door open.' hard-headed British jury." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Entirely.' acted in my house last night?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. here." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "But I have heard all that you have heard." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), in one or two places in England?' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like For additional contact information: who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." said he at last. have established a very serious case against the son of the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you begin with, and I had not got mine yet." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his my former friend and companion. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug your troubles." upon an income of about 60 pounds." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very breakfast and whispered something to her husband. tear off another piece?' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much emerged. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "So I am. Very much so." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I would apply.' held up the lantern and gazed about him. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint was already answered. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have chance." acquaintance?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "And from a noble client?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her you." promised to bring home. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "You don't mind breaking the law?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "He said that you could solve anything." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. present." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And sit in the dark?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Can I be of assistance?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you recover the gem." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I cannot tell." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to ordinary clothes on?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the him nearly every evening." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his maiden herself was most instructive." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with the outside air!" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the