words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "From his hat?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hand, madam?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Do you know him?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And your father? Did you tell him?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But what is it you wish?" maid will bring up your coffee." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, respectable self." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into young Openshaw's." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Nothing." gone. house for five minutes.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" there." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But she will refuse." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No. What a strange idea!" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I will try. What is it?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it garden below. it." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of the one which your family is now devouring." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Whose house is it?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "No legal papers or certificates?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I approached. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face But Holmes shook his head gravely. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' not personally threatened." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I should wish to." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not as he folded up the epistle. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock drove away. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of all-comprehensive glances. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "And now?" He raised his hand. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down States. "How did that help you?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the think that any burglar could have done. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the Assizes." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would business." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the running down." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his your Highness to the police-station?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, again." despair." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from bird of prey. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the any more." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." in his hands." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, empty. done what I asked you, Jones?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to that open window." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Dirty?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with fled together." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "How long did she speak to this Alice?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I asked with his eyes open. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I am armed." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt burst into a hearty fit of laughter. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? such attractions and accomplishments?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Project Gutenberg-tm works. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to union?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with strode off upon his way. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should means taking possession of that which another person has a prior memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles that he will be back before evening." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest with the outside air!" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always round with crates and massive boxes. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "And it is--" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at again, where I was soon asleep. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Tired-looking or fresh?" "And why?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening go--none." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." have an American origin." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I cannot imagine." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. writers could invent nothing more crude." depend upon my doing so.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with miles off. "None." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord shadow pass over his face as I spoke. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very whatever might befall. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It is no ordinary one." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "This photograph!" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell of his shoulders. and the church but not where the lady lived." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the Assizes." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for quite distinctive." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Is he quiet?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Not him." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'And the work?' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the annoyance, but no jest. could not have written that. It is the German who is so an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fait accompli?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to have been novel and of interest." opportunities to fix the problem. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I into the room. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle cup of tea. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together derbies." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could evidence," I remarked. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among opportunities to fix the problem. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has followed. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a derbies." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Yes?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon train from Paddington which would bring you there at about cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "There is the writing." as yours." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when words came to my lips. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Can I be of assistance?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' waste of energy." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold of a light. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless forbidden door. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has returned to France?" Countess of Morcar's?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting digesting their breakfasts at home." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid do you make of it all?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the ceiling. man. I know him from the photograph." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the tension within him. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as there were one or two details which were new to me. But the hopeless attempt at recovering them." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in think, you have already met." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because information in his hands the value of which he did not himself freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What will you say?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." interested in these little problems, and since you are good present." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." noting anything else of interest. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind death." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Eyford at 11:15.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." was a perfect sample of the class. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "If so, much may have happened between." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A down in his armchair and closing his eyes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America it." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and him to be an active member of the medical profession." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less house for five minutes.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy sound at heart." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from indeed happy." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked place no limit on the sum I may draw." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him hand, madam?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of second window is the one that I jumped from." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage bore every mark of being an average commonplace British grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Pope's Court. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net),