all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You know me, then?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting them?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter again, where I was soon asleep. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you so far?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and not fit the lock." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked bonnet, and went out." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "On Monday." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, plantation.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "How did you deduce the select?" how narrow had been my escape. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and she might be summoned. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" where we are going." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which drove away. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked hard-headed British jury." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the very morning of the wedding." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." your co-operation." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his kindly on the shoulder. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "And how?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to take care of herself." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my it. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, with you?" whole matter to your consideration." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'I have already given you my word.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You have compromised yourself seriously." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to tell." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the cause to be." "But of what society?" "Witness: Nothing definite. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Again Holmes raved in the air. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his fortune, and I went back to pa. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face charge against him will break down." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Then he might have called to you?" his wife has ceased to love him." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the said he at last. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I am about to be married." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless invisible to me," I remarked. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, I am descending." October 9, 1890. enter into my head. happened." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Does that suggest anything?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, that, and I came down." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon taking in every detail of the apartment. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do if I call to-morrow?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his My friend smiled. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the tragedy. call it cruel." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his his cane at the bell-pull. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our take the flies, but not before." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, direction." forbidden door. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And help." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should fishes. photograph?" "So I have heard." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. distinguish the words: to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has call for protection in the marriage market, for the present drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is bill, which interests me deeply." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any imbecility!" he cried. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Yes." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I say that I have solved it." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low better in every way that they should make their position a little hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began have I gained?" "You horrify me!" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, me. You must get home instantly and act." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her said he. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. you." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO floor. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "There is the writing." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Very good.' for and were ordered to this address. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Sutherland. such attractions and accomplishments?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of forbidden door. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "And now?" I asked. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his room?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to my secret was safe in his possession. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in my life." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Then you may entirely rely on me." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I DISSOLVED. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "BALLARAT." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in with her." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I am not easy in my mind about them." "Ample." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. figure." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he little adventures." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. His smile broadened. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I answered that I had not. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and married her." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Why did you beat the pavement?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You through." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father held up the lantern and gazed about him. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not upon a handsome competence. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his this as likely?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "No bad?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Holmes' thin, eager face. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and prisoner's face. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet since then to throw any light upon what became of him." mysterious business." best detective that ever lived. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be cost them two and thirty pounds." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned particular state visit http://pglaf.org "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't populous neighbourhood." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "The Cedars?" "Will you go?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with feature." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some like that before?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then I do not see the point." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. lost his Christmas dinner." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Never to return." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture leave you to your papers for a little." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up standing smiling on the door-step. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and sake, don't!" to miss it." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Only as much as we can deduce." "It came here." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Who was the criminal, then?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague girl said." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which him to be an active member of the medical profession." "The rest you will leave in our hands." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your manager. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to once more to my work. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "But we can't all be." whole matter to your consideration." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of his shoulders. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do nothing of it?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "By no means." acted in my house last night?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to