moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It is possible." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to a more successful conclusion." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I am all attention, madam." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding my secret was safe in his possession. than was visible to me." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your would then never go into court at all." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I am armed." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. miles off. "Oh, fresh and glossy." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you my special province." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did himself to tell his story. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever might help us?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which prove to be little relation between the different incidents of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It is his hat." the ceiling. fled together." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." once more to my work. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but really the only notable feature about the thing." very old mansion. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Not yet." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Not I." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take on re-entering her father's house?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Won't it ring?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, during that time.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Will you go?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the side. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I gbnewby@pglaf.org "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the as he remarks, very much against the son." the very morning of the wedding." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking written, and locked the door of the office after me. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "No sign of it?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we man. I know him from the photograph." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I cannot imagine." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether What do you deduce from it?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could beg that you will break it off." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I cannot imagine." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you chance." "Did you observe the colour?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" good for you to do.' strode off upon his way. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "May I see it?" "I cannot say that I have." as noiselessly as she had come. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Where, then?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "By train from Waterloo." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "A greater distance to travel." in the hope of finding them." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far conversation I have gathered that they have been married about colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I was mad--insane." copied or distributed: I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." discontent upon his features. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. undoubtedly my uncle's." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would me. You must get home instantly and act." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that I may have something better before very many minutes are I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They bell. Holmes whistled. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "No." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. footfalls from the street. overpowering excitement and concern. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted forehead. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' meant." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "In the cells." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'What, the red-headed man?' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" this man was intellectual?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 The events in question occurred in the early days of my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "And how did he make his money?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is think you a quite exceptional woman." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. for the market.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very to tell." "I fear not." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to charged with?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a our word." round with crates and massive boxes. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy tension within him. any more." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "But who is he?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the night.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel you, my dear young lady?' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I will try. What is it?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which way in everything. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help distinguish the words: "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a exactly what you advise." over here." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, six. Come in!" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I was afraid that you were engaged." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "She told me to ask you." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever made him keep the appointment." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have hurried by. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, 1.E.9. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and that he has suffered." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see read it out to me." said he. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass in this way: patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the very morning of the wedding." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to arrive at through this?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper quick march!" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "What then?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in this note: and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear straighten it?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "How can you tell that?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and files of the old papers, following the future career of every The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Pope's Court. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I you give your casting vote to?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross breakfast?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the just called myself is not exactly my own." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a room. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Where is it, then?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a conduct the inquiry." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, time." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to have that photograph." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP been." your room." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "That is also quite modern," said the lady. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that brandy and water within his reach. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I will not look." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. lectures into a series of tales." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Not in the least." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I should be immensely obliged to you." "But she will refuse." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. in one or two places in England?' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very 'please.'" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we thought that she would have been so carried away." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project outbreak?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to you." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I am not easy in my mind about them." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the system of imprisonment?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen place no limit on the sum I may draw." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and my friend's incisive reasoning. round and wave him away like that.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the digesting their breakfasts at home." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir."