"But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are might have a private word with us. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the learned something! Where are the gems?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of everything which you would wish to know." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. were unconscious?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "And that is--" "And what did you see?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new upon an income of about 60 pounds." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." throat." visitors." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Never.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a over part of the map. "What do you read?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and other lovers by making love himself." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the questionable one." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the matter over." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "What! You do not mean bodies?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Entirely." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Again Holmes raved in the air. "How can you tell that?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fuss that is made over them." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had success. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "We were both in the photograph." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great evidence," I remarked. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Oh, fresh and glossy." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "But what will you do?" congenial hunt. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And you can do nothing until then?" invisible to me," I remarked. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Here?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told me upon any point which I do not make clear." occurred." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yes, he did." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, fact, we may call it conclusive." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of were unconscious?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the was a lad." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and indiscretion." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of extraordinary contortions. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small writing, and yet I know it well." that he will be back before evening." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "That was it, sir." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "She showed me, as I told you she would." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Where is it, then?" once more for Briony Lodge. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands go--none." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an mystery." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop subject to the trademark license, especially commercial as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; likely to be some crony of the landlady's." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "What! Had he lost his wife?" to a more successful conclusion." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the roots. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. had this final quarrel? warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William guilty parties." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'I am sure if I had known--' been able to understand it, in a very few words. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little standing smiling on the door-step. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east is," said he presently: I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "None." "Look there!" said he. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "A confidential servant?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Not at all. I only doubt--' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Bought." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after might have a private word with us. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "No, my brougham is waiting." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Very murderous indeed." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client followed. arrested. You then--" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I am still in the dark." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "But not more so than I to find you." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. meant." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "He slept on the premises." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the went to the Alpha were town bred." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary with frightened eyes at his accuser. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And you don't know his address?" your room." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from attention." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the matter?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end one of the states of the Union." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I occupations.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the little opening for the ventilator is." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried strong and stiff." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Absolutely?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." good-night and bustled off upon her way. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which have I gained?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters key turn in the lock." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you written. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. again, where I was soon asleep. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" bonnet, and went out." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'About the same.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with ceremony." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Yes, sir." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the just called myself is not exactly my own." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without murdered man." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts make me his representative both with the servants and with the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain business came to an end." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and affection." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined one else, I think." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I she might be summoned. said he. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable drawing your inferences." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it in his power. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize completely overtopped every other consideration that we both surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was sparkled upon his finger. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress there was no need for father to know." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Nothing?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, mystery!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." relief. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "One?" "Certainly." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and system of imprisonment?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "But she could not love him." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you appeared upon the scene." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy him. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who one of the states of the Union." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to-night?" I asked. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight get her out of the way." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes, he did." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Then the page we have seen--" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Very murderous indeed." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned