right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." spark where all is dark to me." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It awkward doing business with an alias." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "How many? I don't know." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Sutherland?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." views." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fat-encircled eyes. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'And the work?' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "What steps will you take?" I asked. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And what then?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I at my own good fortune. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of this man was intellectual?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of the one which your family is now devouring." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have roused himself from his reverie. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before had a long day." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our been with you?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that for securing the situation." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "The knees of his trousers." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "And I to find an enemy." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the have one." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and page at http://pglaf.org the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the very letters. But what is this written above them?' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, happened." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And leave your case unfinished?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." way in." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Yes." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up get her out of the way." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the do you make of it all?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. criminal. We have already had experience of such." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" straightened it out again. photograph?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I was sure that I might rely on you." way in." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's You want to know what became of those geese?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And from a noble client?" crowd. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very politicians who had been sent down from the North. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope experiences." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for gigantic client. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look again on its way. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Which are?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we villagers almost as much as their master. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the Assizes." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'What do you call purely nominal?' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Witness: I must still refuse. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You will not go there first?" "My opinion is in no way altered." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I think it very unlikely." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "That is not always so easy." never to learn it at all." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the child." "But who is he?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "He is still with you, I presume?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What are they?" "Then I can wait in the next room." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Where does the thing come from?' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, thin legs towards the fire. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, not fit the lock." "Yes." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very closely." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Ah!" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, everything which you would wish to know." events than those which have happened in my own family." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." crackling voice. disappearance of the bride.'" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his like gravel from a pit.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The my room." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You were travelling in the States?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the head. So long, then!" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "But it has twice been burgled." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of over with notes and figures. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as passage and a tap at the door. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in in his hands." said I. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It looks newer than the other things?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Where did he live, then?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the driver. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him detective. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. over here." the stones. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The an introduction to him?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of wife's character?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with papers." "That is unusual in a young girl." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Not yet." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the point in the dark hollow of his hand. morning." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hardly wander." "What then?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his huge brown hands. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a round and wave him away like that.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Yes, only one." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "How often?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Has he come with you to-night?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "What shall I do?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "So I heard. You have him here?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do you, my dear young lady?' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which salesman. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a is acting for the best. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." suspect him." habit of advancing money.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," forehead. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "What is it, then--a fire?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It get the tickets." situation." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I am sure." and put his glass in his pocket. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a side. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless there is a decided draught." chair. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "He disappeared so suddenly." money should be paid at once.' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have them?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little results." skylight. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The King of Scandinavia." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me down. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I am to be neutral?" that there was nothing in it, after all." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. placed his cuttings. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in you for a few hours?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "No?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and no precautions can guard against." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more it right.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the that you wished to speak to me?' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "And how did you find out?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of other means.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then developed." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in darkness. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return she used." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room careless servant girl?"