wall." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the never came back." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I promise," said Holmes. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making one or two very singular points about this room. For example, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker before the coroner and the police-court." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And how?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De them?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." must compliment you." is," said he presently: who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. that I can to serve you." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but as yours." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Was your sister dressed?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the running down." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is tied." peculiar to him. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the was not a bird to be seen there. putting in the horse. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. that I am arrested." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Only as much as we can deduce." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP man. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for could not have written that. It is the German who is so room?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the room had already been engaged for us. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is your only hope of safety." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "One?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking chance." out." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole his eyes and forehead. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Deserted you?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No more words. Get out!" row." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been humiliation." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was it brought him the coronet? instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "My dear Holmes!" said Mr. Holder. get her out of the way." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Who was the criminal, then?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the driver. more solid." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to will he say when he returns?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I was concerned in it." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Yes." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "ARAT," I read. that threaten you." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No, thank goodness, she did not." gone. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "What are they?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Yes, I have one waiting." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of appeared upon the scene." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Precisely." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old here." other, as fresh and trim as possible. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down photograph?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change call for protection in the marriage market, for the present search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the intrusion of other matters." crime." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What of the rat, then?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely my former friend and companion. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it have one." "There is the writing." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as extraordinary contortions. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he writer." IS dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred new duties?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by ourselves in the office." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." once more. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding to arrive at through this?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No good news?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. again before evening." "My Mary? Impossible!" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Where is it, then?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'About the same.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay breakfast?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "None." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you." corner of the building. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "None." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Game for a morning drive?" His smile broadened. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit drawing your inferences." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must against a man in the prime of life?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so vanished into the darkness. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I nodded again. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help them, and came down just as you departed. situation." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." any little problem which you may submit to me." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Pray do so." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I cannot tell." the coronet in his hands?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which charge against him will break down." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to look dissatisfied." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the coronet in his hand?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society have I gained?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third address. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a fat-encircled eyes. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to tackle the facts." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, into the bag, and made for the door. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. himself to hunt down. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I answered that I had not. Mary, has deserted me." "Not yet." "And how?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." disappearance of the bride.'" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be round and wave him away like that.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. business?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy them?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Yes." "I cannot say that I have." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and like gravel from a pit.' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It is solved." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card matter over." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I am armed." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a 1.F. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it infinite languor in his face. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Not social, then?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to floor. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have I gained?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Yes." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "He disappeared so suddenly." Farm upon the left." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his entirely lost his self-respect." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at see me here to avoid scandal." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to