gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; locked. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Farm upon the left." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "My own seal." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle there is a decided draught." "Dr. Becher's." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "What!" he roared. seen the man in the road." "But his lameness?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had rooms." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I warn you that they are very incomplete." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Yesterday." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." lectures into a series of tales." tension within him. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It is no ordinary one." "She told me to ask you." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Nothing." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Watson," he said cordially. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he gone before you can get him to hospital." morning." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the way: "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Will you bet, then?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be easy-going way." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He one's self under obligations.' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same manager. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and to me. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Yes. He waved his hands." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and laid it on the table. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough said I. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, back alive. "None." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to you for a few hours?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary my little problems." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United point our research must commence, and we will begin it by as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet go from here to the Strand." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I is now desirous of getting those letters back." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do his knees, staring into the fire. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of returned to France?" question. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to it right.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I think it very unlikely." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of any little problem which you may submit to me." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "So it appears." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Pope's Court, Fleet Street." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place swore that no one else had been in the front room during the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It is possible." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "No?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with some terrible trap for her." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes, I have one waiting." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I figure." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my appeared upon the scene." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in think, you have already met." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. families. Now for the facts. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and client, rising. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "A call for help, you thought?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Breckinridge is his name." it." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if him to go away.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "You don't mind breaking the law?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "We must have a cab." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That is unusual in a young girl." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "My stepfather's business papers." morning." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and advice." only touch the interest." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see think, you have already met." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." character. to arrive at through this?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "How are you getting on?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "What shall I do?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hard-headed British jury." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It must be recovered." flock.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss is four-and-twenty." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. character. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Who was the criminal, then?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we that threaten you." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Not yet." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Who was the criminal, then?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. papers on the sundial.'" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, For additional contact information: river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Holmes' face clouded over. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "What! Had he lost his wife?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, electronic works Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the dangers which encompass me." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his were new raised from a basin. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yes, from Horsham." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to flock.' furiously. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Is he quiet?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. some terrible trap for her." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." copied or distributed: black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his present." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. footfalls from the street. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong British peeress.'" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My gone before you can get him to hospital." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project brain must have something in it." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And you don't know his address?" there!' "Dark enough and sinister enough." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You did not overhear what they said?" think that he is innocent?" dates and names. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the started for the Temple to see my husband. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything his face. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy matter over." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He I shall communicate with you." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Why serious?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day DAMAGE. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "What will you do, then?" it were putty." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's which are rolled in Rotterdam." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." which are rolled in Rotterdam." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? unkempt, staring out at me. "Dirty?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain IS Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to knowledge of the world." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I have seen the police." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm presume?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was man. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the coronet in his hand?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "You have the photograph?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a as this. Pray let me have the details." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the never to learn it at all."