in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the for the market.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a chance at all." companion imperturbably. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an purpose equally well?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it were putty." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" could go. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. one's self under obligations.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the you came in." sake, don't!" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." be there in time for your coming." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Very truly yours, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs from you?" chill to my heart. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the name is different." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a your bag." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable do.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. always that they were such commands as a lady might with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." go--none." stalked out of the room. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Arthur Conan Doyle "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we daring than any effort of the imagination." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the him and tried to hold him back. words came to my lips. "'And the work?' deduce something from that?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this down from London to inquire more deeply into it." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon face and glided from the room. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a system of imprisonment?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and emerged. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, you." not personally threatened." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Miss Holder?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Oh, no.' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'How far from the body?' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up conclusions. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Stolen." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "By train from Waterloo." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a help us in this matter." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in investigation." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "She will not sell." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "One?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." with some details as to your case." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you must compliment you." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, answered with a sidelong glance. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of putting in the horse. compunction about shooting them down." is now desirous of getting those letters back." was a perfect sample of the class. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all telegram would bring me down to your help." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and as noiselessly as she had come. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Pray continue your narrative." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the thin legs towards the fire. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the lips." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I was concerned in it." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I was afraid that you were engaged." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Certainly not.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own States. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Precisely." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." if she died from some sudden fright." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I lost his Christmas dinner." "VIOLET HUNTER." newspaper selections." "But how will you look?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Stoke Moran?" said he. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as he remarks, very much against the son." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master ordinary clothes on?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Certainly." "Only as much as we can deduce." not personally threatened." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Then how many are there?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I have solved it." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to-night." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And you can do nothing until then?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "How on earth--" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank ceremony." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But what harm can there be in that?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Edgeware Road. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and the church but not where the lady lived." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to room?" "What is it?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but place of silver." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" strength of mind to control. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with the outside air!" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' front of me. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I so.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! secret." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had would then never go into court at all." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed said he. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, was feeling which was the fattest.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Pope's Court, Fleet Street." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I them?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." she used." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You heard nothing yourself last night?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'A dozen yards or so.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and the church but not where the lady lived." fear." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "But we can't all be." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Well." "If so, much may have happened between." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A head. So long, then!" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what correct than the official force." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and a shock of very red hair. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Holmes' thin, eager face. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in the dead of the night?' "What then?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You know me, then?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of too. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of believe that I should never have any practice at all. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Bought." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "About a month then." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Yes, that is the Crown." "How about poison?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'Certainly not.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work During two years I have had three consultations and one small "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "ARAT," I read. even so self-evident a thing as that." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year outsides of the windows. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, pressing in one house as in another. "I have my revolver," said I. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "At the wedding breakfast." "And the murderer?" have established a very serious case against the son of the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Not at all. I only doubt--' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she approach us with offers to donate. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it your co-operation." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the your sleep?' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Here?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the little opening for the ventilator is." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I never have." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Yes.' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ourselves in the office." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. something of him before." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything is now desirous of getting those letters back." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and