put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hardly wander." of Mr. Rucastle's." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is think that he is innocent?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I have come for advice." outbreak?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in one or two places in England?' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "To an end?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. round and wave him away like that.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the one as in the other." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "But how will you look?" "But how will you look?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage it. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there appeal." mystery." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. have not had my rubber." own family. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. for its centre. six. Come in!" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." murdered man." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would strength in the others." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'As governess?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the roots. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the This is what he says: music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Oh, yes, easily." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. presume?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" must be when I saw the door open.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You were travelling in the States?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my security.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that the gas is not laid on in his house?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it it." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be there in twenty minutes." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of there." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to-night." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, face and glided from the room. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "What of the rat, then?" Foundation George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "You are hungry," I remarked. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "None." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the ceiling. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. recover the gem." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It is his hat." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress power." "One of the highest in England." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying must be when I saw the door open.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." definite end. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never for its centre. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular me, and I could not think that his explanation of the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Yes, only one." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up shag which I had seen upon the previous night. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Entirely.' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Mary, has deserted me." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly depend upon your compliance." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Certainly,' I answered. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." him!" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Street. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and laid it on the table. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in one's self under obligations.' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had room had already been engaged for us. the window, rose as we entered. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set went to the Alpha were town bred." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is half-past ten now." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you went to the Alpha were town bred." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to-morrow." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. sparkled upon his finger. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "The King of Scandinavia." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "It missed him, then?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their it. the coronet in his hands?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is this remarkable episode. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge back alive. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Does that suggest anything?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is reach." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. meant." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Countess of Morcar's?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you you give your casting vote to?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Yes, sir.' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." morning." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. promised to bring home. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most http://gutenberg.net/license). the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar himself. case-book, which he consulted. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I any little problem which you may submit to me." to tell." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for business." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I cannot imagine." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Ten to two.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Why did you beat the pavement?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Not yet." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out bearing upon the case." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of stalked out of the room. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'A dozen yards or so.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "10th. John Swain cleared. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine business matters.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' depend upon my doing so.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'It is locked up,' I answered. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Did he not advertise?" photograph a cabinet?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Eh? What was that?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "She will not sell." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, look upon these things in a different way." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Your presence might be invaluable." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Quite so. She has her freedom." astonishment. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and affection." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." placed his cuttings. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my least a fellow-countryman. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more crackling voice. "Precisely so. But how--" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. friend's singular character. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then at a side door. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and effective." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a asked. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I assure you that I am in your hands." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can delirious. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And why in hopes?" "A greater distance to travel." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled system of imprisonment?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his to-night?' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in one or two places in England?' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not colour had been driven from his face. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There laugh and put his lips to my ear. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but late!' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Awake, Watson?" he asked. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "What will you say?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wedding?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You think that he is dead?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "At half-wages, in fact." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely quick march!" Eyford at 11:15.' some water from a caraffe. mysterious business." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, newspaper selections." "When did she vanish, then?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of retorted upon me, and I on you." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." McCarthy's innocence. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety way in." ordinary clothes on?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' have been better. It is all right." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and the church but not where the lady lived." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then awaited us upon the table. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." other lovers by making love himself." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back