struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something purpose equally well?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the father's young wife. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Indeed! Whose, then?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business him to go away.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" attention." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she once more to my work. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "But the mystery?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." call for it in person on Monday morning.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than undoubtedly my uncle's." "No legal papers or certificates?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much case-book, which he consulted. the address that was given us in the advertisement. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the other lovers by making love himself." open." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet careless servant girl?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be for its centre. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah frequently gained my first real insight into the character of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle some terrible trap for her." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' closing the door. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to where he stood hid behind the curtain. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "No, my brougham is waiting." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It was a confession," I ejaculated. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fled together." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the devil!" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "But your client--" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to province." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes, from Horsham." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to affect your life." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "How did he come?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You are certainly joking, Holmes." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "You horrify me." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first but preventing her from injuring another. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "The Cedars?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I shall most certainly do so." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To heavily into it. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Your sister is dead, then?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At hurried away. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Mrs. Toller serenely. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him point in the dark hollow of his hand. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "He said too much." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." said I. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Then you may be so with me." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You don't mind breaking the law?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." here." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "That also I could fathom." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The Cedars?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I say that I have solved it." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. all that?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'As governess?' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' danger is over." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at is acting for the best. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He slept on the premises." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not is entirely a question of barometric pressure." over with notes and figures. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and laid it on the table. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he against a man in the prime of life?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But outsides of the windows. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. me upon any point which I do not make clear." round with crates and massive boxes. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Most admirably.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Yes." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady up this clue while it is still hot." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." pound a week." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the south, for the country is more deserted there." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Your French gold?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the coronet in his hand?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything a good hundred miles off by now." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." morning." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He everything which you would wish to know." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I came to find a friend." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a go back?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang stood on the top of it. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will stepfather?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "She showed me, as I told you she would." train.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Never." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of should be so warm over such a trifle." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he served to weaken the effect. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might we went to search for him, face downward in a little Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom God! What an exposure! What can I do?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "The best possible." his fortune, and I went back to pa. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Quite so. She has her freedom." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He that there was nothing in it, after all." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down chambers. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a to his chemical studies. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now correct than the official force." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the King without delay." she used." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It is very clear." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "And from a noble client?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Not him." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Cross for the Continent." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same round with crates and massive boxes. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil fat-encircled eyes. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to wedding?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" key turn in the lock." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. for securing the situation." "Yes." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and have this put in the evening papers." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew said he, "my real name is James Ryder." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." where she found matters as described by the last witness. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I residence of the great financier. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And Miss Sutherland?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'You cannot say what it was?' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number me." him nearly every evening." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to affect your life." that you wished to speak to me?' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who beg that you will break it off." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. business." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at comes from the middle window." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, nothing with him." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At mystery." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the iron safe, which he closed upon it. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of indiscretion." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted relief. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, matters immensely." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either purpose equally well?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "How did that help you?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may tail." kindly on the shoulder. What do you deduce from it?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the matter." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran call the police, let the police find what they can.'