"Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You think that he is dead?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Where, then, is my wife?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the ceiling. out of this horrible affair." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Indeed! Whose, then?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see could gather together that I was able to avert another public Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now from the brougham. ceremony." with frightened eyes at his accuser. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. prison!" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "VIOLET HUNTER." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have was shining brightly. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! before the coroner and the police-court." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own outbreak?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his bled considerably." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be evidence," I remarked. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "How can you tell that?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I was sure that I might rely on you." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that I may have something better before very many minutes are of the efforts of the United States government and of the better given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting paper in the air. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better room. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for new acquaintance to Baker Street. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted one's self under obligations.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few that I may have something better before very many minutes are upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell it." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hair?' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a manager. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. coat-tails." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' enough to aid us in our search." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." asked with his eyes open. of a light. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose tension within him. several quiet little villages up there." them, and came down just as you departed. one of them." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "That is it on the dressing-table." it." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I nodded again. "Then I do not see the point." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you 'please.'" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Have you it here?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and capable of preserving a secret.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Yes." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by your billet.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with frightened eyes at his accuser. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! cause to be." other, as fresh and trim as possible. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is sparkled upon his finger. reach." "I am all attention, madam." "I don't believe it." quick march!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "In which, sir?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Where does the thing come from?' "What have you to say now?" delighted to hear it," he said. with you?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's memory. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the when your master had gone out." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cigars in the box." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a occurred." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "What is it, then--a fire?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. before the coroner and the police-court." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Is he quiet?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind conversation I have gathered that they have been married about any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Here?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an affair. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Holmes' room. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin married her." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Miss Holder?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, unprecedented a position." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is absolutely follow my advice in every respect." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and put his glass in his pocket. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all one's self under obligations.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a in his power. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near John Swain, of St. Augustine. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them from you?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "What will you do, then?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "My opinion is in no way altered." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What then?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, were unconscious?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery a little more before I quite committed myself. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the coronet at all injured?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. it." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of his shoulders. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Why, what do you mean?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have not had my rubber." to-night." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must official police." "Eh? What was that?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in imbecility!" he cried. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I am armed." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'In my own bureau.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his him. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "9th. McCauley cleared. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Breckinridge is his name." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "That is unusual in a young girl." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" said I. "Witness: It was. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the Assizes." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in have had none more fantastic than this." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ways including including checks, online payments and credit card