"Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" indeed which he could not unravel. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the stones. "She walked into the breakfast-room." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Only as much as we can deduce." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "But who is he?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to a more successful conclusion." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is official police." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to change my dress. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a own family. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you society." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bled considerably." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger fatally injured? voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was used.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Holmes' room. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" McCarthy." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It surprised me." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows unclasping of his long thin hands. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hopeless attempt at recovering them." business?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I cannot think." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "But I am all in the dark." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to change my dress. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he instincts rose up against that laugh. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the begun to whiten, even as mine has." definite end. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from charged with?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have mystery." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and records." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I should be immensely obliged to you." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Again Holmes raved in the air. should be so warm over such a trifle." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the call it cruel." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "A client, then?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be memory. if only as a check to my own memory." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "What do you mean?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains keep the flames under. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every occurred." conclusions. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not done what I asked you, Jones?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Nothing." "No bad?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is 'I should be able to look after that for you.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress details." "Of Friday, June 19th." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Nothing?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy wanted for ourselves." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a brain must have something in it." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Why did you beat the pavement?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the from you?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. tell them apart.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What, then?" "Quite so." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself opened a pocket-book and took out a note. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "What, then?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons she used." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in redistribution. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "And now?" I asked. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "And what then?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "That is it on the dressing-table." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to photograph a cabinet?" the one as in the other." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need desk. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter directly by questioning you." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You did not overhear what they said?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no do.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little distinguish the words: "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, jewels which you have stolen?' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "And I." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They have got?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a you in yours." I shall continue with my miserable story. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning congratulate you again." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, done what I asked you, Jones?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my written. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And that is--" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. like that before?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And how did he make his money?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Munro.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, to-morrow." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Certainly not. But why?' "One of his hands." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." against a man in the prime of life?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into it means?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just events, Mr. Windibank!" lost his Christmas dinner." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, ago." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." His smile broadened. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one galvanised. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "What can you not understand?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Certainly." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are reach." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "By no means." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Precisely." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "We must have a cab." "The best possible." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and the whole place is in a blaze." a room. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the inquest, and which are worth considering." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will second window is the one that I jumped from." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, colonel looking down at me. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Eyford." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some God! What an exposure! What can I do?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you, my dear young lady?' read over the extraordinary announcement. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "My own seal." is worth.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And you don't know his address?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Entirely." "Certainly, madam." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "By train from Waterloo." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, away into the river." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And did you observe any change in her then?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "A confidential servant?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond get the tickets." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "What will you say?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the south-west, I see." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of train.' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Here?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I have my revolver," said I. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Never.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is man. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the not personally threatened." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and or other trace. But how on earth--" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "At half-wages, in fact." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position constraint." excitement. lips." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And what then?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. everything which you would wish to know." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' colour had been driven from his face. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said manager. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case existence." my friend's incisive reasoning. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Your French gold?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly DAMAGE. the Red-headed League." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a did not hear it also.' my little problems." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my little problems." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few neither fascinating nor artistic." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that as he folded up the epistle. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a peculiar to him. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather,