pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Mary, has deserted me." morning." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it interests were the same as his." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the ceiling. "You don't mind breaking the law?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "From his hat?" that you can jump it.' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this there when the Rucastles went away." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "He might." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the be. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of death." "So I have heard." "Then you may be so with me." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will fuss that is made over them." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself believe that I should never have any practice at all. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to his fortune, and I went back to pa. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'As governess?' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two said he. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Pray do so." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking one of them." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "VIOLET HUNTER." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who security.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Where to?' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours business." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each persecution?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat http://www.gutenberg.net disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I don't believe it." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before was keenly on my guard against him. business in the City. She little knew what. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "But how will you look?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about again, where I was soon asleep. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is tear off another piece?' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. some terrible trap for her." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." said I. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his disturbance in my wife." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. very old mansion. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. leave you to your papers for a little." conclusions. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the loss of it. the room while you explain this matter?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "But what will you do?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Certainly not.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "In heaven's name, what for?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" south, for the country is more deserted there." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible unkempt, staring out at me. that I am arrested." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It surprised me." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him I approached. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew returning from some small jollification and was making his way matter over." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story hardly wander." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of families. Now for the facts. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the iron safe, which he closed upon it. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I of your young ladies.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Quite so." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I would pay ten." have been better. It is all right." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You think that he is dead?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to was used.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of upon the shelf for the interim." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or you in yours." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Precisely." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go excitement. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Not in a good cause." tell him that I know him to be innocent." and it need not interfere very much with one's other In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I see no marks." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back until night should bring an explanation. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Precisely." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior dramatic, in fact." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "To ruin me." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "She showed me, as I told you she would." bird of prey. open." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the stones. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself front of the hall door has given its name to the place. deduce something from that?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to some other building. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable works. "No." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "One of his hands." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural beg that you will break it off." that I may have something better before very many minutes are families. Now for the facts. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And the cigar-holder?" "Dirty?" away to you." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the pressing in one house as in another. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, felt the room to be a little close.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Yes." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Yes, he did." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Sholtos." "No bad?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless likely to be some crony of the landlady's." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by as noiselessly as she had come. prison!" do you make of it all?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Do you know him?" "My last client of the sort was a king." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the general public were present, then?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Holmes, the busybody!" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, companion imperturbably. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the date of his supposed suicide." outbreak?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It was it brought him the coronet? parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on which we had just quitted. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual characteristics, but those are the more obvious." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "The murder was done with it." trying to your nerves." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little crime. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who an introduction to him?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat our word." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "But you were on a friendly footing?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "My dear Holmes!" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an it with his own hands." stood on the top of it. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send locked. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Game for a morning drive?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate she used." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the iron safe, which he closed upon it. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & unkempt, staring out at me. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily happened." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of when your master had gone out." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty into the bag, and made for the door. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature grasp, he hurried from the room. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads outside." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Perfectly so." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "No?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fear." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his morning." lamp in his hand. feature." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Thank you. Pray proceed." astonishment. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment directors, with the result that you have seen." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP companion. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his know what is wrong with it.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Which are?" "Not in a good cause." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "In which, sir?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given very old mansion. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Nothing?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce