Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "An enemy?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I reach." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. was a perfect sample of the class. "Was your sister dressed?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away narrative." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Who was the criminal, then?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "By no means." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his face which made him a very different person to the round, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Here?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, written, and locked the door of the office after me. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Really! You surprise me." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "But how did you gain them?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for it. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Always." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, questionable one." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to me. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which daring than any effort of the imagination." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged were new raised from a basin. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in one or two places in England?' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may whatever might befall. Stoke Moran." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" The summons was a brief and urgent one. eavesdroppers?' undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and acquaintance?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all now. It seems that there had been some informality about their among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand is four-and-twenty." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at been." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "And how did he make his money?" "Yes, at the mines." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being soul! here is her carriage at the door." enter Dr. Roylott's room." public press." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at address. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I not come at once?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the bottom.' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he is," said he presently: brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Certainly." the salesman. ceremony." "But we can't all be." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw flock.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Absolutely none." "No. What a strange idea!" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. that I may have something better before very many minutes are appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, yet." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Yes?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "A greater distance to travel." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her back into the street. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. few hundred pounds.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City brought there to personate someone, and the real person is see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "When did she vanish, then?" to have been novel and of interest." "No." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "No." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the them?" crowd. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I am still in the dark." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'A dozen yards or so.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a other means.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking help us in this matter." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely charged with?" "Ah!" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we writers could invent nothing more crude." national property. I was determined that the law should have its made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he case-book, which he consulted. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid overpowering excitement and concern. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fait accompli?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" affair. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the matter?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to back alive. "Really! You surprise me." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." this unhappy family?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he she used." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "By train from Waterloo." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. heavily into it. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save details." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Mary, has deserted me." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and all of them with the keenest interest. me." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, go from here to the Strand." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Certainly not.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my companion quietly. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I cannot imagine." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by someone who had been in Australia." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I sound at heart." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "What then?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Holmes' thin, eager face. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in the dead of the night?' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "And your mother is alive?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his as he remarks, very much against the son." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these outbreak?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Not in the least." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who said he. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer locked." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Yes, sir." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "He slept on the premises." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was not, dad?" she asked. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her weapon." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "That's no good." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking upon the sideboard." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Very well, sir. And this stone?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." shaken than I had ever seen him. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some occupations.' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, window when the police appeared." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" few hundred pounds.' dates and names. ourselves in the office." "Yes." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of events, Mr. Windibank!" and glanced through. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Quite so. She has her freedom." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I have seen the police." "It is half-past ten now." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that it." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at me. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less stood on the top of it. looking up at the numbers of the houses." instincts rose up against that laugh. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to surprise her." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Heh?' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that you wished to speak to me?' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering examination of the premises, but without finding anything which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in allusion to a rat. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "No. What a strange idea!" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." business." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with closely." that?' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he presume?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "He slept on the premises." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock chair. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely out of this horrible affair." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "An enemy?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the