PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Does that suggest anything?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it meant." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge charged with?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Young McCarthy must be got off, however." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Sutherland. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really thought that she would have been so carried away." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I will get her to show me." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Precisely so. But how--" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a everything which you would wish to know." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "9th. McCauley cleared. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Have you it here?" October 9, 1890. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, least a fellow-countryman. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then do.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my extraordinary contortions. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith James Windibank. Voilà tout!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Really! You surprise me." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'And the work?' someone who had been in Australia." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "At the wedding breakfast." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Eyford at 11:15.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination nothing with him." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his room. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The King stared at him in amazement. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any someone who had been in Australia." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense into the bag, and made for the door. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I see no marks." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless other, as fresh and trim as possible. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a meant." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, your equipment. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint when your master had gone out." of the one which your family is now devouring." a room. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Stoke Moran." unkempt, staring out at me. problems help me to do so." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is reach." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very things are very often connected not with the larger but with the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "What then?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of them has the shutters up.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No, I am descending." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." woman." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that he has suffered." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it call you and give you the chance." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes, that is the Crown." your room." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, business in the City. She little knew what. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil tension within him. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of other means.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, relief. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a three fields round his house, and there he would take his Pope's Court. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, bare slabs of marble. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport system of imprisonment?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered confronted him. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about disappearance of the bride.'" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be tear off another piece?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, weapon." over with notes and figures. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I should wish to." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Is he quiet?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." matters immensely." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not States. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut or other trace. But how on earth--" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Thank you. And your address?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls nice household for a young lady." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated gentleman's clothes. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand straightened it out again. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Not particularly." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who cigar and let me expound." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, bell. Holmes whistled. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this union?" mystery!" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "But she could not love him." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Seven!" I answered. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you strong reason behind." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "But to whom?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of way: the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Have you good authority for what you say?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ways of our fellow-men." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "My own seal." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the night.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by jewels which you have stolen?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I nodded to show that I had heard. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, could not have written that. It is the German who is so hopeless attempt at recovering them." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all vague figure huddled up in the darkness. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the villagers almost as much as their master. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have then?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be cause to be." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Yes, sir.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears possible that we could bring him back to her? the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Indeed! Whose, then?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known strength." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Precisely." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the best of training." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet hurried away. tapping his fingers upon the table. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been foot. if she died from some sudden fright." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him security.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the call the police, let the police find what they can.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "But we can't all be." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of peculiar to him. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing telegram would bring me down to your help." "Precisely." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to habit of advancing money.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I empty. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Nothing." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I shall be delighted." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his past. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "No, I think that I'll take it." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at photograph?" and laid it on the table. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There is acting for the best.