"But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Yes, it was twisted." gone. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly fait accompli?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both she to prove their authenticity?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fluttered off among the others. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the Friday. Was it to be in church?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "No." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third lamp. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It is very kind of you." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I will not look." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had My friend smiled. "Eh? What was that?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Precisely." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg posted to-day." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic weighed down with some great anxiety. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "What I expected to see." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass been." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It is no ordinary one." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I am still in the dark." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Did your wife hear all this?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Was there a secret marriage?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." man. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little three fields round his house, and there he would take his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the this poor creature." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the address that was given us in the advertisement. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "So it appears." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "At what time?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Certainly." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But we can't all be." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his whole matter to your consideration." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before http://www.gutenberg.net if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. of them has the shutters up.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing chemical work which was so dear to him. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, could not have written that. It is the German who is so during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned were wasted." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "What! a murderous attack?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "That's no good." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the it. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'In my own bureau.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders writer." bird I ate is country bred." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Certainly." than was visible to me." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and ourselves in the office." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A presented more singular features than that which was associated little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "But how?" where we are going." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "But to whom?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'Yes, sir.' "And the cigar-holder?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'There is a drive, then?' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted over his head with a sweet womanly caress. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the one which it was hard to resist. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Leadenhall Street--and--" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'A dozen yards or so.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Yes, only one." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and looked back. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is chair. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What!" he roared. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was business in the City. She little knew what. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when questionable one." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. mystery may be cleared along those lines." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped had a long day." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A my former friend and companion. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had miles off. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "If I can be of use." appeared upon the scene." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual nights." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" key of the affair now." "By train from Waterloo." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss detective. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out burst out into a roar of laughter. soul! here is her carriage at the door." how narrow had been my escape. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we I was concerned in it." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, me. You must get home instantly and act." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the his cane at the bell-pull. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that with you alone." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a present." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as disappearance of these gems?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Where did you address your letters, then?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet have had none more fantastic than this." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And how have you succeeded?" to have been novel and of interest." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Yes, from Horsham." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was a loud and authoritative tap. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "So it appears." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer wall." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you she might be summoned. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in mystery." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I one which it was hard to resist. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check details." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes, the wine-cellar." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue could gather together that I was able to avert another public went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Certainly." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." forehead. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon against a man in the prime of life?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited asked with his eyes open. "In San Francisco, a year ago." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to leave you to your papers for a little." of them has the shutters up.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as brandy and water within his reach. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and prosperity to your house. Good-night." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" works. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "He is still with you, I presume?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "None." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a easy-going way." his face which made him a very different person to the round, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You are hungry," I remarked. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But emerged. will take you up to see the machine.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Never to return." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "That is it on the dressing-table." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers strength of mind to control. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was but preventing her from injuring another. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "The gentleman I describe." "How on earth--" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I think that it is very probable." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all have accepted such a situation. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of letters?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "It is true that I have been generally successful." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to when your master had gone out." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the Red-headed League." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but felt?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great desk. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save were new raised from a basin. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "10th. John Swain cleared. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Holmes' face clouded over. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "And is that all?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Just look it up, then." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of said I. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' it means?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the coroner's jury." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that washing it down with a long draught of water. of a light. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these