a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which writers could invent nothing more crude." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That is possible." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their happened." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the matter." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against pity, because in other respects you would really have done very is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are green of the new foliage. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce was used.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a guilty parties." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, presume?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" matter." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Yes, they were peculiar boots." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say as the one I chose?' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. door?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, this as likely?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. in a very precise fashion." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "By no means." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more placed his cuttings. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now This is what he says: the little opening for the ventilator is." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was feeling which was the fattest.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Certainly not. But why?' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the have been better. It is all right." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With once more. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and your only hope of safety." grasp, he hurried from the room. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I cannot tell." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Entirely.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door been." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." McCarthy." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "You'll never persuade me to believe that." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too cost them two and thirty pounds." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the might have a private word with us. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy few hundred pounds.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when bachelor.' "No." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "One of the highest in England." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And your father? Did you tell him?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland footfalls from the street. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "What!" he roared. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled excitement. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "What of the rat, then?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and six. Come in!" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Where could I find him?' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has noble correspondent could be. "The Coroner: What do you mean? this Miss Turner." "Oh, fresh and glossy." Lee, in the county of Kent." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin one's self under obligations.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "What can you not understand?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Perhaps I have." "Your French gold?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I leave." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." from you?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And on what day did he meet his death?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental enter Dr. Roylott's room." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at late!' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to wall." "Stolen." like that before?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Holmes' room. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying shadow pass over his face as I spoke. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, hour?' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's for and were ordered to this address. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, know what is wrong with it.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found bedroom door." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up cheerful." "Dr. Becher's." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as horse could go." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it at my own good fortune. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, the wine-cellar." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Not in a good cause." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the plantation.' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "What! You do not mean bodies?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The gentleman I describe." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you recover the gem." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible you do it in twenty minutes!' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." in a friendly supper." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" for and were ordered to this address. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of this man was intellectual?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the Red-headed League." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the never came back." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three think you a quite exceptional woman." and effective." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my may have an influence upon European history." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that just ask you whether you had heard it.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. back into the street. danger is over." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how 'please.'" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind miles off. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of said I. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'I am sure if I had known--' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my forecastle of an emigrant ship. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? me have 200 pounds?' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor him to be an active member of the medical profession." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That me what he had done with the three missing stones. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Was your sister dressed?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic tassel actually lying upon the pillow. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It is possible." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Could he throw no light?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Is he quiet?" have not had my rubber." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Where to?' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put himself. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous key turn in the lock." hopeless attempt at recovering them." rat could hardly pass through." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my ashen face. present." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied very morning of my second wedding." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see mystery." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very but preventing her from injuring another. constraint." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 to that open window." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'And the work?' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the province." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as is worth.' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his went to the Alpha were town bred." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life interested in these little problems, and since you are good A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may affair. very morning of my second wedding." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler quickly through a disagreeable task. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that any more." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but