secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have one." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, a monotonous occupation." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the coronet at all injured?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "It is his hat." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It money should be paid at once.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You horrify me." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is The police have openly confessed that they can at present make advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "If so, much may have happened between." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a compunction about shooting them down." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small your own bird, so if you wish--" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to my little problems." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." voice, changing her seat as requested. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to have that photograph." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "But the mystery?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his hopeless attempt at recovering them." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. believe that I should never have any practice at all. Pool. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now definite end. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, giving me time to thank him. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim page at http://pglaf.org bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home vague figure huddled up in the darkness. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my conduct the inquiry." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Never.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and capable of preserving a secret.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Quite so. She has her freedom." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." as noiselessly as she had come. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort foot. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 directors, with the result that you have seen." "Was he the only applicant?" works. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hereditary King of Bohemia." and inquire as to the address." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, fait accompli?" had formerly been in part my own. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through promised to bring home. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope away into the river." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the room while you explain this matter?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I nodded to show that I had heard. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a families. Now for the facts. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And when will you call?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole It may be so in this case, also." the stones. morning." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to have that photograph." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which my secret was safe in his possession. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock said Mr. Holder. "How did that help you?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head will find little credit to be gained out of this case." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and promised to bring home. locked." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to that open window." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' there when the Rucastles went away." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, most interesting one." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Which surely he restored to their owner?" time." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. foresight and the moral retrogression?" within hail.' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I have seen the police." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to of the one which your family is now devouring." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, would then never go into court at all." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I say that I have solved it." "But how?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the coronet at all injured?" "Have you it here?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found indeed which he could not unravel. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Precisely." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sparkled upon his finger. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that had died away into the silence from which it rose. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its appeared upon the scene." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked time." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold business." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and written, and locked the door of the office after me. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Nothing?" "'Certainly not.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Stolen, then." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face quick march!" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which until night should bring an explanation. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant four million human beings all jostling each other within the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this fattened it expressly for you.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried noble correspondent could be. the stones. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I shall most certainly do so." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a chemical work which was so dear to him. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the woven round him. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "But how will you look?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, individual and becomes the badge of a society." more terrible than the truth. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "How can you tell that?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "You did not overhear what they said?" client, rising. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him way in." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Did you observe the colour?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Will you go?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave them present such singular features as the strange train of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his forehead." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What are they?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot if only as a check to my own memory." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the that I am arrested." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "One?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Stolen." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so fatally injured? this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, that I can to serve you." which are rolled in Rotterdam." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, forecastle of an emigrant ship. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "No." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the do." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with my secret was safe in his possession. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of your billet.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "One horse?" interjected Holmes. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and the colonel ushered me in. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something woven round him. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could is," said he presently: his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he went to the Alpha were town bred." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Then, how do you know?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about tapping his fingers upon the table. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to talk it over. "But I am all in the dark." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am triumphant cloud from his cigarette. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As just called myself is not exactly my own." window when the police appeared." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, never will be, entirely cleared up. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "What do you make of that, Watson?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the inner apartment." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the loss of it. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she bedroom door." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little from you?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the had died away into the silence from which it rose. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "By no means." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It is very clear." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "She will not sell." hurried by. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and