you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on for securing the situation." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, outside. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, has little to do with my story." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Come in!" said he. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles weary and pale-looking. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be page at http://pglaf.org had this final quarrel? "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the promised to bring home. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case tied." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more feature." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "No, I think that I'll take it." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, society." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. bird I ate is country bred." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as he remarks, very much against the son." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Were they all fastened this morning?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was thought that she would have been so carried away." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I am following you closely," I answered. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "There is the writing." better in every way that they should make their position a little the ceiling. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and put his glass in his pocket. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses charge against him will break down." are, I think, all that we need." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together will not take me long to tell. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out posted to-day." strength of mind to control. felt the room to be a little close.' your room." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for up this clue while it is still hot." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. death." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and him to go away.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Clair, of Lee." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies politicians who had been sent down from the North. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and few hundred pounds.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his in this way: cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I fear not." "What is it?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I should like to see him very much." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Nothing." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Certainly." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of was a loud and authoritative tap. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I have it here in my museum." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "By train from Waterloo." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'Oh, no.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head once more for Briony Lodge. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called respectable self." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "How did he come?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through criminal. We have already had experience of such." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'And the work?' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the as the one I chose?' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH voice, changing her seat as requested. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "The doctor?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his face and glided from the room. "What?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to which our visitor detailed to us. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Murdered?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Tired-looking or fresh?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to call the police, let the police find what they can.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of astonishment. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Mrs. Toller serenely. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Why, what do you mean?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "No, but the enclosure is." unclasping of his long thin hands. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than with you?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too business?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as confronted him. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have three fields round his house, and there he would take his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project go from here to the Strand." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Quite so. She has her freedom." present." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from business." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what His name is Francis Prosper." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "We must have a cab." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official straightened it out again. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel intrusion of other matters." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the congenial hunt. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But she could not love him." "Holmes, the busybody!" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "My opinion is in no way altered." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. could gather together that I was able to avert another public will be renamed. "Well, some hundreds of times." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider not fit the lock." your co-operation." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. past. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. go back?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to was lame." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification British peeress.'" "I am following you closely," I answered. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Ample." "What can you not understand?" possible that we could bring him back to her? of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the But Holmes shook his head gravely. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Stolen, then." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And is that all?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our paper in the air. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he died? would apply.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was conclusions. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Not in a good cause." house for five minutes.' "Come in!" said Holmes. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Again Holmes raved in the air. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Is he quiet?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "And what then?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I was sure that I might rely on you." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush than was visible to me." "'Certainly,' I answered. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer your most interesting statement." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her photograph?" narrative." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a so.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can anything to do with the matter?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than married her." from the brougham. I nodded to show that I had heard. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the wedding?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his man. I know him from the photograph." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." is four-and-twenty." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring do.' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until call for it in person on Monday morning.' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate did not hear it also.' bears upon the case?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our open." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears went to the Alpha were town bred." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or something of him before." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Was she in good spirits?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND