the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who this remarkable episode. mystery." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. too. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, chance at all." him and tried to hold him back. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir recover the gem." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and that he would see to anything that turned up. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been peculiar to him. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular fait accompli?" mystery!" "He is dead," cried several voices. "Then I am your man." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in a very precise fashion." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't orange pips. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of have been better. It is all right." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him one else, I think." to take care of herself." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by in this note: frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "My private note-paper." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." not fit the lock." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we her also." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking garden below. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the side-table." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he out of this horrible affair." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "But how could you guess what the motive was?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I cannot imagine." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, approach us with offers to donate. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some shoulder. tightly behind him. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of points to suicide?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though have one." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection of them has the shutters up.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few nonsense.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "When did she vanish, then?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Precisely." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I matter." other lovers by making love himself." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." like gravel from a pit.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that I may have something better before very many minutes are electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as everything which you would wish to know." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have are windows in it, of course?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Entirely." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, in the port of London." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. out of this horrible affair." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as geese which you supplied to the Alpha." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Why that?' I asks. "It looks newer than the other things?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "A thing like a cleaver," said he. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke lost nothing by them." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. him to go away.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Pray continue your narrative." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "What shall I do?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight behind me. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Why that?' I asks. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "If so, much may have happened between." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much leaning back in his chair. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all leaning back in his chair. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "10th. John Swain cleared. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front for the market.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and laid it on the table. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm think that he is innocent?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It is very kind of you." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: a very grave face. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Eyford." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to me. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the where she found matters as described by the last witness. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Cross for the Continent." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes next day. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which client, rising. The summons was a brief and urgent one. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which coroner's jury." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of photograph?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It is possible." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something woman." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Yes." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical have been better. It is all right." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Was she in good spirits?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I came to find a friend." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I should like to see him very much." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to take care of herself." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a washing it down with a long draught of water. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "It is possible." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You know me, then?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat mystery." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And I." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a come either from the window or the door. My attention was Mrs. Toller serenely. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Literary Archive Foundation fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to a very grave face. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes words came to my lips. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window once more to my work. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Stolen." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without gone before you can get him to hospital." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this I nodded again. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may this truth that in these little records of our cases which you quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. highly," said Holmes. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is behind me. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands once more. "Yes, it was twisted." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as one else, I think." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a villagers almost as much as their master. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it do you make of it all?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Yes." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By