"One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "We have tried and failed." my former friend and companion. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." colour had been driven from his face. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward dead, shall be safe with us." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one once more for Briony Lodge. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret knowledge of the world." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body as noiselessly as she had come. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon your most interesting statement." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes, only one." said he. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly society." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations your only hope of safety." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." shall not find me ungrateful." chance at all." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Never." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea British peeress.'" "Yes, sir." "And did you observe any change in her then?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "In heaven's name, what for?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out arrested. You then--" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have row." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary carriage. It was a chestnut." "I would give my fortune to have them back." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But what will you do?" the nursery. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I am sure." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Your presence might be invaluable." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "And did you observe any change in her then?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Pope's Court, Fleet Street." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "She told me to ask you." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My I shall continue with my miserable story. indiscretion." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which ways of our fellow-men." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "The vanishing of the lady." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope minor matters until to-morrow." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to a light-house. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them appointment with me for six o'clock?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood there has been an enclosure here!" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "And now?" I asked. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said never will be, entirely cleared up. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You are hungry," I remarked. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Imitated." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that observed. unprofitable." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, empty. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and capable of preserving a secret.' the general public were present, then?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line foresight and the moral retrogression?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It is his hat." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she was a perfect sample of the class. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of note?" "At half-wages, in fact." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My once more. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he like that before?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I my room." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you roused himself from his reverie. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than round and wave him away like that.' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of yet." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Well, some hundreds of times." the bottom.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him once more for Briony Lodge. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is papers." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I promise," said Holmes. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact be sorry for having acted so harshly." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my friend's incisive reasoning. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I think that I could be of assistance to you." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "No." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the nursery. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Yes, it would be as well." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of footfalls from the street. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "If I can be of use." "I will, Miss Turner." "Nothing." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "It surprised me." carpenter." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "My stepfather's business papers." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." has little to do with my story." know that the truth is known." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with most interesting one." article?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." get the tickets." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in death." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of your young ladies.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the window, rose as we entered. but preventing her from injuring another. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that?' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." woman." returned to France?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his power." a very grave face. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And the murderer?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into like gravel from a pit.' he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It certainly sounds feasible." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I shall continue with my miserable story. married her." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able I nodded to show that I had heard. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I will try. What is it?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "A confidential servant?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yes." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "My opinion is in no way altered." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Why, it's a dummy," said he. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably one of them." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, a very grave face. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Thank you. Pray proceed." should be taken.' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. brain must have something in it." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I as this. Pray let me have the details." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in colonel looking down at me. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I don't believe it." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that I am arrested." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only use an arc-and-compass breastpin." meant." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in think that he is innocent?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' photograph?" Sutherland?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his occupations.' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he brandy and water within his reach. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Cross for the Continent." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always confronted him. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." face and glided from the room. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the south-west, I see." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gbnewby@pglaf.org "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I shall most certainly do so." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the empty. sake, don't!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Sholtos." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Were they all fastened this morning?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and laid it on the table. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I was mad--insane." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." to take care of herself." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to invisible to me," I remarked. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Clair, of Lee." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was could gather together that I was able to avert another public the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "And that is--" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, written. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone became a certainty. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Never." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." three of the beryls in it, was missing. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in both be extremely obliged.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, daring than any effort of the imagination." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of cause to be." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Where, indeed?" "Very much so." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Lee, in the county of Kent." washing it down with a long draught of water. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "The landlord of the Alpha." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in have accepted such a situation. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You are all wrong." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On questioning and rather startled gaze. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "The gentleman I describe." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Of Friday, June 19th." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute standing smiling on the door-step. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang washing it down with a long draught of water. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "But of what society?" undoubtedly my uncle's." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But what harm can there be in that?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "By all means." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when my secret was safe in his possession. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper might have a private word with us.