for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped man. I know him from the photograph." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from lectures into a series of tales." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. a room. derbies." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." of your young ladies.' "Proceed, then." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised see me here to avoid scandal." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through became a certainty. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper nice household for a young lady." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the held up the lantern and gazed about him. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in as he remarks, very much against the son." figure." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my little problems." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." them?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. undoubtedly my uncle's." III. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I was sure that I might rely on you." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as excitement. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Why did you pick him?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Perfectly so." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Most admirably.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Where does the thing come from?' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the certainly not very gracious." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, congratulate you again." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "She showed me, as I told you she would." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the habit of advancing money.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Yes, sir." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the matter?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A experiences." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the warnings." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until suddenly upon us." have been better. It is all right." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the was shining brightly. remarked. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I cannot imagine." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sneer upon his pale face. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Where, indeed?" "Come in!" said Holmes. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly that there was nothing in it, after all." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Quite so. She has her freedom." carpenter." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in one or two places in England?' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? hour." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I held the little printed slip to the light. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Was your sister dressed?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that unprecedented a position." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael likely to be some crony of the landlady's." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "But she could not love him." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all into her hand at the door and which lured her within their aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. business." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by might have a private word with us. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate your co-operation." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no out of this horrible affair." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Holmes, the busybody!" "How can you tell that?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Look there!" said he. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "The rest you will leave in our hands." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son when you have done it." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me helping a boy to put up the shutters. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders felt the room to be a little close.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any forecastle of an emigrant ship. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, read it out to me." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for lectures into a series of tales." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the nothing with him." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I have my revolver," said I. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, arrangements." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the date of his supposed suicide." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), The note was undated, and without either signature or address. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us an introduction to him?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Never." place no limit on the sum I may draw." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Then the page we have seen--" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Witness: It was. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself strong and stiff." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was them, and came down just as you departed. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness constraint." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain you." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I cannot imagine." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are shoulder; "he's all right." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only soul! here is her carriage at the door." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was round with crates and massive boxes. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some strange features which were associated with the two crimes which developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Did you observe the colour?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And for present expenses?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet not as remarkable as your advertisement." into the room. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It's nothing of the kind." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the depend upon my doing so.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting against a man in the prime of life?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, newspaper selections." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him rooms." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches II. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at astonishment. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "This concluded the examination of the witness." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found that threaten you." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have something of him before." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences companion imperturbably. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." be there in time for your coming." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." approach us with offers to donate. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and putting in the horse. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock ago." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the States. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Do you go out much in society?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and looking up at the numbers of the houses." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker standing smiling on the door-step. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "But of what society?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. exactly what you advise." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. away to you." "Not yet." she might be summoned. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Yes, sir.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to that open window." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both south, for the country is more deserted there." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Did you observe the colour?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Does that suggest anything?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And I to find an enemy." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" views." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot late!' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and place of silver." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a directly by questioning you." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You have it, sir, just as it happened." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "He disappeared so suddenly." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and I shall be with you presently." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Have you her photograph?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott arrested. You then--" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Ten to two.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Texas, I think." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of your young ladies.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake approach us with offers to donate. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Serpentine Avenue. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. some city in a dream. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple hurried away. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "And it is--" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I nodded to show that I had heard. crackling voice. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in nothing of it?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they companion quietly. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Eyford at 11:15.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about hurried away. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his was keenly on my guard against him. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that