arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to call it cruel." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall felt?" for securing the situation." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "It missed him, then?" showing my impatience. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the devil!" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black are windows in it, of course?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his this as likely?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover less than 26s. 4d. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take have accepted such a situation. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." do.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and the colonel ushered me in. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little you?' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I am still in the dark." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we foresight and the moral retrogression?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I took the paper from him and read as follows: to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself in a very precise fashion." "Then he might have called to you?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "It is solved." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his look dissatisfied." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices some terrible trap for her." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, investigation." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter said I. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Dr. Becher's." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as second." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Serpentine Avenue. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we detained." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the residence of the great financier. "Then, as to money?" remarked. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'I shall certainly be there.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! depend upon your compliance." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "An accident, I presume?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was not a bird to be seen there. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "And from a noble client?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "She will not sell." "And leave your case unfinished?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "The knees of his trousers." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would name is different." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. is acting for the best. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Stolen." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, such person." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he it. "'How far from the body?' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes, that is the Crown." important." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in address. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "My last client of the sort was a king." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that on re-entering her father's house?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Where is it, then?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a window when the police appeared." served to weaken the effect. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a served to weaken the effect. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you in your example." "Yes, it was twisted." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "How often?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Very much so." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was his wife has ceased to love him." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was golden eyeglasses. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Of what day?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. keep the flames under. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." business matters.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to miss it." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough very peculiar words of the dying woman?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was already answered. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known all?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No, I am descending." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. rose-bushes. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in prisoner's face. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty http://gutenberg.net/license). house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' prisoner's face. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," depend upon my doing so.' "Not social, then?" "Not in a good cause." definite end. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at putting in the horse. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and wait." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project prove to be little relation between the different incidents of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready foresight and the moral retrogression?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry round with crates and massive boxes. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Yes, I promise.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'In my own bureau.' that he has suffered." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick threw himself down with his face to the pillow. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was ways of our fellow-men." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that he has suffered." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of from you?" I have it here in my museum." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, did not hear it also.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And leave your case unfinished?" correct than the official force." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And the cigar-holder?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Certainly not. But why?' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was my special province." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." spare." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as companion. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had than was visible to me." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I have hopes." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to arrive at through this?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to where he stood hid behind the curtain. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and light and attacked it." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned where she found matters as described by the last witness. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on quick march!" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide always that they were such commands as a lady might with already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through his face. I leave." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. I. nothing of it?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Doctor, of the paper and the date." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of the way of danger. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to-morrow." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "You have compromised yourself seriously." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am eavesdroppers?' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Yes, sir.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "What will you say?" bearing upon the case." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and dead, shall be safe with us." Dr. Gregory B. Newby electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Pray continue your narrative." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the companion. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know out." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and him. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must