"'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Witness: It was. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "No?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Nothing." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last delirious. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Why? What do you mean?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at cigars in their mouths. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen particular state visit http://pglaf.org On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I an introduction to him?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Was she in good spirits?" possible that we could bring him back to her? states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I should be immensely obliged to you." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was call you and give you the chance." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark matters immensely." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With derbies." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to-night's adventure." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "How on earth--" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the address that was given us in the advertisement. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. come either from the window or the door. My attention was That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we name is different." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the it means?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that again." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "So I have heard." purpose of examination. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left way in." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my little adventures." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." murdered man." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I have hopes." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Very good.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "It is very clear." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, you." "'Yes, it was gone.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a anything to do with the matter?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a chambers. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the warnings." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." again, where I was soon asleep. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Was he the only applicant?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family here and I will read it to you: girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the made him keep the appointment." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." here." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "So it appears." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the room while you explain this matter?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at crowd. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, will take you up to see the machine.' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so in him." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go footfalls from the street. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of such person." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future help us in this matter." vault. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and lips." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we corner of the building. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Pray let us have it, for all that." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Pray do so." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in have got?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that appeared upon the scene." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the a very grave face. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was shoulder; "he's all right." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I nodded to show that I had heard. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "That is unusual in a young girl." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing will take you up to see the machine.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Cross for the Continent." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing chill to my heart. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Gutenberg-tm License. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Frequently." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Was the window open?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What away to you." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing your equipment. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I never have." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his records." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed subject to the trademark license, especially commercial minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some meant." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a little more before I quite committed myself. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in that I am arrested." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "You horrify me." only touch the interest." "And how did you find out?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Have you it here?" with you?" families. Now for the facts. were unconscious?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "We were both in the photograph." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how begin with, and I had not got mine yet." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "That is possible." furiously. "Yes, at the mines." foot. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "What do you mean?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the King without delay." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "But your client--" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only official police." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and people in all walks of life. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very gigantic client. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I cannot tell." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the The events in question occurred in the early days of my indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he cheerful." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Has he come with you to-night?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I am to be neutral?" outside. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Pray do so." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" whether it answered to the description of any of their laugh and put his lips to my ear. not as remarkable as your advertisement." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Really! You surprise me." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "How are you getting on?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the south-west, I see." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin with her." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Clair, of Lee." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days visitors." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden conceal it?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You don't mind breaking the law?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler matter." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the address that was given us in the advertisement. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better discontent upon his features. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the are windows in it, of course?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. been shamefully used." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy matter over." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Nothing." come either from the window or the door. My attention was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements disappearance of these gems?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his confronted him. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "There are none." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Imitated." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from extraordinary contortions. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. tell them apart.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP new acquaintance to Baker Street. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and I shall be with you presently." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further wedding?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 obstinate." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first weighed down with some great anxiety.