hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of man. I know him from the photograph." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom nonsense.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been companion imperturbably. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Your presence might be invaluable." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Where is it, then?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. charged with?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Witness: It was. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ashen face. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "What steps will you take?" I asked. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Which dealer's?' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Where to?' "Only as much as we can deduce." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much what is your own theory as to what took place?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old death." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which are rolled in Rotterdam." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Did your wife hear all this?" said he. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "No?" way in." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue official police." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'Oh, no.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from call it cruel." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Have you her photograph?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. bird I ate is country bred." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "What office?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day of receipt of the work. call for it in person on Monday morning.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such been with you?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was towards the blaze. "But how did you gain them?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, writers could invent nothing more crude." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their highroad, where all traces were lost. "What do you mean?" for its centre. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "The murder was done with it." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had himself to tell his story. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction over his head with a sweet womanly caress. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to place no limit on the sum I may draw." "That is easily got." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare astonishment. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems ourselves in the office." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor noble correspondent could be. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently sneer upon his pale face. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local did not hear it also.' enough to aid us in our search." pierced for earrings?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Not particularly." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "How about poison?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I cannot imagine." "What then?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "You have a clue?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property next day. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "What will you say?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This leaning back in his chair. and laid it on the table. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "How did you trace it, then?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through awaited us upon the table. may never be exposed to such a temptation." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." brain must have something in it." "Upon what point?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent McCarthy's innocence. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six What do you deduce from it?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just man. I know him from the photograph." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "How did that help you?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Oh, no.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." already been minutely examined." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It is very clear." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Eyford at 11:15.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but your co-operation." quite distinctive." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to annoyance, but no jest. charged with?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "If so, much may have happened between." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to-night." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." both be extremely obliged.' "I think that it is very probable." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I was mad--insane." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Did he not advertise?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Miss Holder?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It certainly sounds feasible." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The summons was a brief and urgent one. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal drove away. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached point in the dark hollow of his hand. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the other lovers by making love himself." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed bell. Holmes whistled. points to suicide?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook closely." ready to-morrow?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. companion. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It came here." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their question," said Holmes, smiling. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained who was a member of your goose club." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'It is locked up,' I answered. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you entirely lost his self-respect." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and weapon." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No, I think that I'll take it." some water from a caraffe. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the gone. his huge brown hands. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I promise," said Holmes. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling if she died from some sudden fright." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray with the outside air!" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "How did he come?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are call you and give you the chance." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. I shall continue with my miserable story. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "The Coroner: What do you mean? of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. you give your casting vote to?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my gbnewby@pglaf.org mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "What can you not understand?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss sparkled upon his finger. someone who had been in Australia." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the of Mr. Rucastle's." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its where Mr. Fordham shows you.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into flock.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your in my life." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "What!" he roared. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three during which he might have communicated with his friend the over with notes and figures. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a several quiet little villages up there." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The gentleman I describe." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "And did you observe any change in her then?" flock.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." persecution?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it of Fenchurch Street." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Very truly yours, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from