"And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." figure." lips." "So I have heard." appeal." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the whatever might befall. secret." photograph?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through since then to throw any light upon what became of him." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other shoulder. go--none." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I have hopes." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "She will not sell." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." anything to do with the matter?" of the vacancies.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. several quiet little villages up there." good-night and bustled off upon her way. held up the lantern and gazed about him. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about directors, with the result that you have seen." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Get out!" said he. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I could go. extraordinary contortions. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Why did you pick him?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, south, for the country is more deserted there." "That is easily got." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a was a perfect sample of the class. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." national property. I was determined that the law should have its general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, thirty. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor attention." "Always." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real eat it." me." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I have it here in my museum." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "The gentleman I describe." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I room had already been engaged for us. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in nice household for a young lady." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Upon what point?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "But the mystery?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the front of me. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I say it is." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Do you know him?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding mystery." instincts rose up against that laugh. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was business." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "What, then?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the matter." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Count Von Kramm." works. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of green of the new foliage. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I think that I had better go, Holmes." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, wedding?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from there in twenty minutes." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to read over the extraordinary announcement. "I never have." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded bill, which interests me deeply." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, quite distinctive." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, interested in these little problems, and since you are good here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you respectable self." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has present." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "None. Neville wrote those words." "Yes, all." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." daring than any effort of the imagination." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to better grown goose." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Pray do so." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have an American origin." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice October 9, 1890. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "But your client--" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "But I have heard all that you have heard." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice would apply.' "Frequently." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful your own bird, so if you wish--" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "But who is he?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A will not take me long to tell. handed it to him. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Ha! you find it so?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may speckled band?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "We must have a cab." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Really! You surprise me." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was formed some opinion?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Not particularly." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "That is not always so easy." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. to take care of herself." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Holmes' face clouded over. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You will not go there first?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to a light-house. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Could he throw no light?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that him to go away.' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended he bowed and left the room without another word. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "A call for help, you thought?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very companion. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a you." "On your arm?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I cannot tell." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink fish-monger and a tide-waiter." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect have got?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Yes, only one." "And is that all?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Then I am your man." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, man. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fashion which was peculiar to him. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square bed dies. Does not that strike you?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it before, for it was considerably after midnight. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Nothing." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. London for the present?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Where to?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'And the work?' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Not I." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign an introduction to him?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Why serious?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of at once, for I have only half an hour." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the other lovers by making love himself." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without a very grave face. helping a boy to put up the shutters. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it have I gained?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Not in a good cause." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the were unconscious?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open was the fact that his father should, according to his account, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain what I may call a really hard day's work." "None." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." dead, shall be safe with us." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Why serious?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country friends, not even his own brother. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect front of the hall door has given its name to the place. side. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at sound at heart." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I should wish to." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. amused." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." too. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was feeling which was the fattest.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always colour had been driven from his face. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Yes, but only for you and me." "You have compromised yourself seriously." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get wedding?" "Of what day?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from was feeling which was the fattest.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to you." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is congratulate you again." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "In San Francisco, a year ago." I shall communicate with you." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. kind enough to tell me what I should do." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by business in the City. She little knew what. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the believe that I should never have any practice at all. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. fuss that is made over them." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay were new raised from a basin. digesting their breakfasts at home." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, chill to my heart. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob