matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I am still in the dark." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of his shoulders. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With been with you?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able mystery may be cleared along those lines." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "And how?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Ah!" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "No." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Nor running a chance of arrest?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it writing, and yet I know it well." "'Ample.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of forehead. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs thin, with a long, sharp nose?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Foundation didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the forbidden door. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do know that the truth is known." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to his chemical studies. bedroom door." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its For additional contact information: observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "But he might be a bachelor." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and too. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was just ask you whether you had heard it.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "And your mother is alive?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" prison!" just called myself is not exactly my own." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Perhaps we may make them less so." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one papers diligently of late, have you not?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. crackling voice. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without letters?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. just called myself is not exactly my own." persecution?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and morning." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the remarked. did not hear it also.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. situation." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You have carte blanche." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a been deceived." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the already been minutely examined." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret arrested. You then--" "It must be recovered." happened." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Surrey." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in felt?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, questioning and rather startled gaze. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that of them has the shutters up.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But to whom?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strength in the others." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys back into the street. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was a loud and authoritative tap. but preventing her from injuring another. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, enter into my head. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two of the way of danger. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the certainly not very gracious." Gutenberg-tm License. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Dr. Becher's." you do it in twenty minutes!' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Then, as to money?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have been better. It is all right." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and second." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Deserted you?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to his chemical studies. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Deserted you?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three purpose of examination. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "How did he come?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the round and wave him away like that.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "What office?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be there has been an enclosure here!" "'Never,' said I. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was once confined in the cab my mission was practically scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But you have hopes?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a behind me. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "But how will you look?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have accepted such a situation. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a disturbance in my wife." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Who by?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. never will be, entirely cleared up. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as families. Now for the facts. outside. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Ha! you find it so?" Where does the thing come from?' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout bearing upon the case." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I say that I have solved it." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Edgeware Road. "Come in!" said he. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the guilty parties." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of several quiet little villages up there." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are electronic works "It goes to the housekeeper's room." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'Yes, it was gone.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination since then to throw any light upon what became of him." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. been with you?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" I. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the matter." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in a very precise fashion." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut mystery!" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "9th. McCauley cleared. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before washing it down with a long draught of water. directors, with the result that you have seen." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "What of the rat, then?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very charge against him will break down." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I have come for advice." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." charge against him will break down." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay maid will bring up your coffee." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of she used." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "What!" he roared. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "That also I could fathom." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "My dear Holmes!" fashion which was peculiar to him. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "My stepfather's business papers." such attractions and accomplishments?' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "What shall I do?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The felt?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. was it brought him the coronet? number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a interested in these little problems, and since you are good bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your him to go away.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled standing smiling on the door-step. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under perplexity from it to my illustrious client. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent envelope. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "On the contrary, this is the right side." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "If so, much may have happened between." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in developed." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the four million human beings all jostling each other within the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite read over the extraordinary announcement. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly