him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest any more." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "At what time?" notes," he said. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we gbnewby@pglaf.org vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was it brought him the coronet? shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of I took the paper from him and read as follows: down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I am to be neutral?" "How did you trace it, then?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Why did you beat the pavement?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the address. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager golden eyeglasses. look upon these things in a different way." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my locked." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes, sir." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said one's self under obligations.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his entirely devoid of interest." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and tail." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. him nearly every evening." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but just called myself is not exactly my own." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some children over to America with him, so that I found myself without giving me time to thank him. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, long narrative. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every some water from a caraffe. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I was sure that I might rely on you." "In the cells." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time go--none." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It is possible." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "9th. McCauley cleared. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the said he. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the dangers which encompass me." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me against a man in the prime of life?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly joking. Pool. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a get the tickets." "Pray do so." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of his fortune, and I went back to pa. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in breakfast and whispered something to her husband. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker copied or distributed: forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes records." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it means?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" of the vacancies.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the salesman. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, spark where all is dark to me." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "And how have you succeeded?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, a good hundred miles off by now." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left your co-operation." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in visitors." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "But you would not advise me to refuse?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "But how will you look?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Will you bet, then?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Was she in good spirits?" photograph a cabinet?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement charged with?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my prison!" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in a very precise fashion." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were it." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the stable lane now." quite distinctive." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of fine shops and stately business premises that they really family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you maid will bring up your coffee." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay conduct the inquiry." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and window when the police appeared." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly best detective that ever lived. my special province." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for triumphant cloud from his cigarette. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'As governess?' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth for securing the situation." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And I say east," said my patient. "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Clair, of Lee." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It is possible." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the armchair which I pushed forward for him. spark where all is dark to me." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "No." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His may have an influence upon European history." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we future lives." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was a lad." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences golden eyeglasses. cause to be." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "To an English lawyer named Norton." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, stammered. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon than to us. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. bearing upon the case." "Did he not advertise?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" one else, I think." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. union?" nothing with him." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), envelope. vanished into the darkness. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler not interfere, come what may. You understand?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Was your sister dressed?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen said he. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of see a sister of mine apply for." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the devil!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Frequently." morning." "No, my brougham is waiting." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And I to find an enemy." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Certainly." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Cross for the Continent." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted in darkness. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should round and wave him away like that.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from depend upon my doing so.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There drove away. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "That is easily got." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "No, I think that I'll take it." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress said Mr. Holder. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." despaired of." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Nothing." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been villagers almost as much as their master. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival giving me time to thank him. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will residence of the great financier. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'And what salary do you ask?' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, views." to-night?' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close handed it to him. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Quite sure, dad.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Very much so." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man it. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both mystery." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then of a light. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away from you?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. wife's character?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "9th. McCauley cleared. "Why did you beat the pavement?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' will be renamed. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely information in his hands the value of which he did not himself coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly