my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "How did you trace it, then?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to you." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide directors have had misgivings upon the subject." out." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance front of me. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I have come for advice." "Yes." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From questioning and rather startled gaze. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his already been minutely examined." "'Certainly,' I answered. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. you, my dear young lady?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I nodded to show that I had heard. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "ARAT," I read. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a know all about it," he snarled. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious constraint." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "It must be recovered." matters immensely." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler trying to your nerves." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "If I can be of use." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a could gather together that I was able to avert another public neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the general public were present, then?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "What do you mean?" Sholtos." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, relief. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous asked with his eyes open. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of giving me time to thank him. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and power." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. redistribution. was already answered. ran thus: "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to asked with his eyes open. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own you?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. shoulder. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our closely." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Clair, of Lee." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 1.F. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If at home. "By train from Waterloo." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you want, then?' only touch the interest." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And you can do nothing until then?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I am all attention, madam." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Then I am your man." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to felt the room to be a little close.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your despaired of." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a brandy and water within his reach. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" that there was nothing in it, after all." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Have you it here?" to-night?' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the south-west, I see." occurred." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I do." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Come in!" said Holmes. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must garden below. happened." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that respectable self." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Where did you address your letters, then?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the me where it went to?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two compunction about shooting them down." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the tail." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for stammered. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "What?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned populous neighbourhood." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as entirely devoid of interest." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. with the outside air!" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "A confidential servant?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "What of the rat, then?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of my former friend and companion. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I promise," said Holmes. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from mystery." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the ventilator." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' prison!" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fatally injured? gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been absorbing." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should do.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had you give your casting vote to?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, that you can jump it.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I cannot tell." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "So it appears." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "What will you do, then?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature future lives." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting fishes. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And leave your case unfinished?" morning." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid fluttered off among the others. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident leave you to your papers for a little." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Whose house is it?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure your Highness to the police-station?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, that is the Crown." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "He disappeared so suddenly." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. important." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had time." "I answered that I had not. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal not as remarkable as your advertisement." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Nothing?" "This photograph!" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let evidence," I remarked. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "How did you deduce the select?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Of what day?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if purpose equally well?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly photograph a cabinet?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Who by?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "That is it on the dressing-table." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Does that suggest anything?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the unprecedented a position." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "When did it break out?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since quite distinctive." This is what he says: best detective that ever lived. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to name is different." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of one else, I think." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a about. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his was it brought him the coronet? four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Literary Archive Foundation knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town row." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." deduce something from that?" power." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." derbies." said he. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either man. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, at a side door. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the memory. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will written, and locked the door of the office after me. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I nodded to show that I had heard. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical evidence," I remarked. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I promise," said Holmes.