is so. I know all about McCarthy." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, at once, for I have only half an hour." fluttered off among the others. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the King without delay." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come suggested at once that there must be a communication between the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fire. You quite follow me?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring been with you?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "9th. McCauley cleared. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" shall use the carriage to-night." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Why that?' I asks. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently coroner's jury." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in promised to bring home. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman envelope. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Nothing." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "No?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the matter." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange some city in a dream. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Ha! you find it so?" For additional contact information: "'Certainly not.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Dr. Becher's." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it used to be." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. bird of prey. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to surprise her." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to empty. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fact, we may call it conclusive." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send colonel looking down at me. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little his eyes and forehead. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole morning." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I assure you that I am in your hands." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Never.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And how have you succeeded?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Why did you beat the pavement?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was union?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my public press." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. with you alone." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Yes, it was twisted." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I should like to see him very much." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I are windows in it, of course?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event papers diligently of late, have you not?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one that power." knowledge of the world." business?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "What?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I beg pardon." child?' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'What, the red-headed man?' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sufficient punishment." "To ruin me." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'As governess?' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been promised to bring home. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "What, then?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Yes, it was gone.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her least a most suspicious remark." in. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not maid will bring up your coffee." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. said I. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yes, certainly." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "The gentleman I describe." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It is solved." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Never." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "None. Neville wrote those words." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its relief. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Watson," he said cordially. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I am in hopes that she does." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four night.' said he. strength in the others." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from vault. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he grasp, he hurried from the room. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "You forget that I know nothing about it." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she bedroom door." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I beg pardon." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Then he might have called to you?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. other means.' Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I promise," said Holmes. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be opportunities to fix the problem. was a loud and authoritative tap. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "My opinion is in no way altered." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "In the cells." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the confronted him. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was not a bird to be seen there. public press." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Have you it here?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose drove away. "'Which dealer's?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and said I. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Imitated." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fire. You quite follow me?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'As governess?' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. read over the extraordinary announcement. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Whose house is it?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Yes, but only for you and me." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." business?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And the cigar-holder?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Come in!" said he. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while whereabouts. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case might help us?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated silent! Oh, he will be silent!' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such at my own good fortune. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "No?" to some other building. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Do you know him?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It surprised me." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "On Monday." "What! a murderous attack?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Thank you. Pray proceed." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each characteristics, but those are the more obvious." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you man. I know him from the photograph." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper placed his cuttings. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." which we had just quitted. tell him that I know him to be innocent." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general way: brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." into the bag, and made for the door. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. suspect him." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round good for you to do.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Thank you. And your address?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Certainly not. But why?' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Murdered?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not presume?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to read over the extraordinary announcement. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was get the tickets." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of held up the lantern and gazed about him. his face which made him a very different person to the round, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that