and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to even so self-evident a thing as that." upon the sideboard." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of the one which your family is now devouring." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that there was nothing in it, after all." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the pictures, libraries, or plate. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of his shoulders. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But you were on a friendly footing?" which was all perfectly true. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Why did you pick him?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one into the room. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are instincts rose up against that laugh. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine what is your own theory as to what took place?" the ceiling. "Texas, I think." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there something of him before." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm name is different." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "You have it, sir, just as it happened." window when the police appeared." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Gutenberg-tm License. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "You have carte blanche." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a upon the sideboard." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose must be when I saw the door open.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." outbreak?" spare." writers could invent nothing more crude." "Why did you pick him?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's http://www.gutenberg.net ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "What, then?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working not fit the lock." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do drove away. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Very. But will he see it?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "But what will you do?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." What do you deduce from it?" "Your presence might be invaluable." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect with some details as to your case." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A disappearance of these gems?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to change my dress. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of the one which your family is now devouring." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Yes?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. your Highness to the police-station?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous golden eyeglasses. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that there was nothing in it, after all." existence." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the developed." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "He disappeared so suddenly." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Always." coroner's jury." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out frequently gained my first real insight into the character of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" results." "Who by?" "Yes." said I. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Doctor, of the paper and the date." present." "The best possible." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "A client, then?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in went to the Alpha were town bred." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "No, finished." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk knowledge of the world." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to our word." McCarthy." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were woman who has had her own way to make in the world. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little made his money." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Yes, at the mines." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors occurred." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I am armed." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Then what has happened to him?" the devil!" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a in the hope of finding them." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Does that suggest anything?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in have an American origin." business at Coburg Square is serious." "And the cigar-holder?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of congratulate you again." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round emerged. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest arms and began to sob in a high treble key. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have dramatic, in fact." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From have one." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. hard-headed British jury." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the her also." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him young Openshaw's." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, directly by questioning you." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "In San Francisco, a year ago." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the locked." kind enough to tell me what I should do." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at less than 26s. 4d. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With politicians who had been sent down from the North. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and all of them with the keenest interest. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the room while you explain this matter?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down lectures into a series of tales." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and capable of preserving a secret.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master minor matters until to-morrow." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face lamp in his hand. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the some terrible trap for her." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Where, indeed?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I away into the river." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Watson," he said cordially. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon there was no need for father to know." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to surprise her." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "9th. McCauley cleared. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he reach." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen when your master had gone out." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our have got?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the date of his supposed suicide." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, when your master had gone out." "He might." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at garden below. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not suggested at once that there must be a communication between the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to them?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but nonsense.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, man. straightened it out again. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, but preventing her from injuring another. already been minutely examined." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It may not come to that," said Holmes. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he DAMAGE. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "No?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which was all perfectly true. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "And I to find an enemy." do." "You have the photograph?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "What, then?" "What then?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My article?" in. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch presented more singular features than that which was associated away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to read over the extraordinary announcement. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I nodded again. chemical work which was so dear to him. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner hour?' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something depend upon my doing so.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child again on its way. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Where does the thing come from?' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the jewels which you have stolen?' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Gutenberg-tm License. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the were new raised from a basin. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I shall communicate with you." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for companion quietly. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, are, I think, all that we need." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon."