"I assure you that I am in your hands." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. plantation.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'I have heard so.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same guilty parties." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed south, for the country is more deserted there." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Never.' all-comprehensive glances. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the you give your casting vote to?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and wait." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had had no one to advise her at such a crisis." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my should be taken.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no fat-encircled eyes. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Stolen." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee himself. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, be there in time for your coming." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" there." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter States. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the people don't know." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to call it cruel." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during brain must have something in it." and that he would see to anything that turned up. Doctor, of the paper and the date." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "What do you mean?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and looked back. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was public press." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." are windows in it, of course?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Proceed, then." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hair?' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the The events in question occurred in the early days of my already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed emerged. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is foresight and the moral retrogression?" of the one which your family is now devouring." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Imitated." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I am to be neutral?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "You think that he is dead?" "Well?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a depend upon your compliance." strength." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dear old homesteads?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of that I can to serve you." the little opening for the ventilator is." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which hereditary King of Bohemia." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "What office?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be strode off upon his way. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in my life." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the that?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Yes." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment lectures into a series of tales." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." only touch the interest." "It came here." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I see many objections to any such theory." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, coat-tails." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Precisely so. But how--" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed hopeless attempt at recovering them." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has get her out of the way." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "No." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Nothing." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Here?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "But I am all in the dark." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gives a meaning to it." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you want, then?' have had none more fantastic than this." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the child." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large derbies." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Indeed! Whose, then?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of it with the greatest attention. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Witness: It was. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." chance." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was have not had my rubber." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of." name is different." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my your troubles." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "But not more so than I to find you." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become acted in my house last night?" as he folded up the epistle. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Here?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Frequently." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "From his hat?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a wedding?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I morning." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ceremony." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. o'clock is it?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. your Highness to the police-station?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "And leave your case unfinished?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A The events in question occurred in the early days of my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "What, then?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. affair. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I am still in the dark." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he my little problems." away to you." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to future lives." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "And how did you verify them?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the with some details as to your case." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon strength." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't you in yours." from you?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant hardly wander." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of upon the sideboard." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over to that open window." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a been deceived." one of the states of the Union." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Whose house is it?" made him keep the appointment." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is in. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you look upon these things in a different way." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Certainly." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you want, then?' stood on the top of it. written, and locked the door of the office after me. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first them?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of your young ladies.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned hand, madam?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Ample.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "What?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What do you mean?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and inquire as to the address." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "But we can't all be." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No more words. Get out!" http://gutenberg.net/license). "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not own family. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I me. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. assist you in forming an opinion." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "No, finished." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who do.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "A greater distance to travel." "By train from Waterloo." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be it with his own hands." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it himself in a perplexing position. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off peculiar to him. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about may have an influence upon European history." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I have hopes." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his sparkled upon his finger. it right.' States. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wedding?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would never came back." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her