we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Yes, sir.' stood on the top of it. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, signal between you and your father? armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Surrey." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "How did he come?" hair?' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It is half-past ten now." congratulate you again." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me meanly of me." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in door?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. rooms." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to had this final quarrel? "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "He is dead," cried several voices. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and from the brougham. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Certainly." who was a member of your goose club." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he throat." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the or other trace. But how on earth--" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for furiously. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I I nodded again. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I nodded to show that I had heard. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the stalked out of the room. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. stammered. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Why, what do you mean?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I am sure." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Do you go out much in society?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "He said that you could solve anything." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of front of me. remarked. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the bed, and you in that chair." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Serpentine Avenue. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Very much so." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." all-comprehensive glances. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is them?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may matters immensely." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, he did." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "It is possible." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I was mad--insane." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and him and tried to hold him back. window when the police appeared." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, back to my heart. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There this man was intellectual?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "She told me to ask you." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Holmes rather sternly. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Not yet." "And how did you find out?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Not him." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." telegram would bring me down to your help." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to you." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and orange pips. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "She walked into the breakfast-room." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to washing it down with a long draught of water. extraordinary contortions. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery call for it in person on Monday morning.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce writers could invent nothing more crude." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "About a month then." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Do you go out much in society?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sparkled upon his finger. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to You can understand that this register and diary may implicate I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Quite so." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "No." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My dear Holmes!" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Seven!" I answered. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that window when the police appeared." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for his huge brown hands. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own gone. the one as in the other." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a following enigmatical notices: "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. outside." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to talk it over. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called pound a week." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is up this clue while it is still hot." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy assist you in forming an opinion." the running down." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low opportunities to fix the problem. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the house with me." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of my special province." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker was a lad." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in indeed which he could not unravel. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Well." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "And from a noble client?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was it. "'Never,' said I. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! some water from a caraffe. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible villagers almost as much as their master. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. upon the sideboard." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to village inn over there?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "In heaven's name, what for?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "If I can be of use." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting village inn over there?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." how narrow had been my escape. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. interest. They are important, you understand, without being request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to tackle the facts." detective. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I you give your casting vote to?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons prison!" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same hour?' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the which it had come upon my father." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post opportunities to fix the problem. awkward doing business with an alias." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Of what day?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. morning." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a without a word or a look. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to-night." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion of receipt of the work. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Her father is very rich?" weary and pale-looking. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and to have been novel and of interest." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'What are you doing there?' he asked. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, you?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of your most interesting statement." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "None." furiously. redistribution. to his chemical studies. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the photograph?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This fasten all the windows?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "And how in the world did you find them?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were meant." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there whole matter to your consideration." upon the sideboard." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his His name is Francis Prosper." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told away to you." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that he has suffered." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think but preventing her from injuring another. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when official police." "'Never.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler