The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "A call for help, you thought?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for you?' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A enough to aid us in our search." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "But his left-handedness." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to brain must have something in it." "One?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which lost nothing by them." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "And the murderer?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that ourselves in the office." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "How did that help you?" few hundred pounds.' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Very murderous indeed." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in examine." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? think you a quite exceptional woman." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "No, I think that I'll take it." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Where to?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "So I heard. You have him here?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Why serious?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were fasten all the windows?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the window when the police appeared." "Yes." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to you." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my feature." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it kind enough to tell me what I should do." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "My private note-paper." "Perhaps we may make them less so." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The King stared at him in amazement. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of a light. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Did he not advertise?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the Assizes." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He true." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my way in." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Proceed, then." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester compunction about shooting them down." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed for its centre. and laid it on the table. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, away to you." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself miles off. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Awake, Watson?" he asked. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the date of his supposed suicide." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement crime." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" promised to bring home. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Pope's Court. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "None." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and copied or distributed: know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "My dear Holmes!" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I have my revolver," said I. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Of what day?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Imitated." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fatally injured? fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT your most interesting statement." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, his face. green of the new foliage. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. side. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Was he the only applicant?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the Friday. Was it to be in church?" there was no need for father to know." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was keenly on my guard against him. "Dirty?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy American. Then who could this American be, and why should he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what danger is over." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in with her." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering following enigmatical notices: "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the any." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always bird I ate is country bred." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at success. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "No. His orders were to stay in the house." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given begun to whiten, even as mine has." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his my secret was safe in his possession. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may have established a very serious case against the son of the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction there has been an enclosure here!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Dr. Gregory B. Newby clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try newspaper selections." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Eyford." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird bonnet, and went out." question," said Holmes, smiling. "'In my own bureau.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him which our visitor detailed to us. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout crowd. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: had a long day." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. most interesting one." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a drove away. comes from the middle window." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I families. Now for the facts. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "What is it, then--a fire?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the investigation." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence point our research must commence, and we will begin it by I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Then I am your man." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he with some details as to your case." and a shock of very red hair. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and get her out of the way." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "And the cigar-holder?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are within hail.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Which are?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "If so, much may have happened between." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "The knees of his trousers." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "You saw the ventilator, too?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Really! You surprise me." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. purpose equally well?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "What of the rat, then?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my closely." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused just called myself is not exactly my own." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Was the window open?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by father's place of business?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to that you saw all that I did." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is daring than any effort of the imagination." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a there was no need for father to know." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's which was all perfectly true. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were 'please.'" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in one which it was hard to resist. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the dangers which encompass me." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate again, where I was soon asleep. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and the church but not where the lady lived." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed