state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fact, we may call it conclusive." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I cannot imagine." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, villagers almost as much as their master. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What, then, did Peterson do?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered tightly behind him. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It looks newer than the other things?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his if only as a check to my own memory." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. I shall continue with my miserable story. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Stoke Moran." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where disappearance of the bride.'" despair." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Stolen!' he cried. him nearly every evening." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. few hundred pounds.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the warnings." lips." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It is very kind of you." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "No?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the tragedy. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he you do it in twenty minutes!' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "What shall I do?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "That's no good." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. your most interesting statement." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should that, and I came down." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under better grown goose." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "We were both in the photograph." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But she will refuse." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I gbnewby@pglaf.org "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped this poor creature." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hour." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Eyford." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He might." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons congenial hunt. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our is now desirous of getting those letters back." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Arthur Conan Doyle as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Serpentine Avenue. wedding?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all here." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, get the tickets." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in yourselves in at night?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter during which he might have communicated with his friend the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, how narrow had been my escape. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Where does the thing come from?' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they everything which you would wish to know." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which national property. I was determined that the law should have its of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "VIOLET HUNTER." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Stoke Moran." my little problems." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by from the brougham. goes." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have nonsense.' "It is possible." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the ceiling. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Quite so. She has her freedom." may have an influence upon European history." said Mr. Holder. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you been." "It came here." the little opening for the ventilator is." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he out." "Entirely." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "He slept on the premises." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. skylight. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and your own bird, so if you wish--" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, any little problem which you may submit to me." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before purpose equally well?" "I promise," said Holmes. been deceived." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. developed." spare." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "And I to find an enemy." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which was all perfectly true. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she most interesting one." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "It is a murder, then?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. excitement. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove this unhappy family?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "One of his hands." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "The gentleman I describe." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "To an English lawyer named Norton." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "You forget that I know nothing about it." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six away into the river." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You new acquaintance to Baker Street. the dangers which encompass me." him to go away.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I know where it is." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand it." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Yes, only one." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the her also." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of families. Now for the facts. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in be sorry for having acted so harshly." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I think that I had better go, Holmes." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of status with the IRS. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you as he remarks, very much against the son." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful already been minutely examined." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As pound a week." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "To an end?" "Yes, sir." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Just look it up, then." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle questionable one." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" unprofitable." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Where did he live, then?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Pray let us have it, for all that." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the as he folded up the epistle. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes." Mary, has deserted me." these bleak autumnal evenings." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any thought that she would have been so carried away." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there deduce something from that?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'Never.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own vanished into the darkness. entirely lost his self-respect." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "But what will you do?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning thought that she would have been so carried away." hour?' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not started for the Temple to see my husband. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very placed his cuttings. you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the night.' it. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and I shall be with you presently." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads would then never go into court at all." crime." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes, it was twisted." new acquaintance to Baker Street. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the strength of mind to control. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning is a common subject for conversation. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Most admirably.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "How many? I don't know." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "But of what society?" crime." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her is so. I know all about McCarthy." and a shock of very red hair. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "May I see it?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Yes, I promise.' said I. too. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Certainly, madam." passage and a tap at the door. "Was he the only applicant?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of This is what he says: developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to have that photograph." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "The rest you will leave in our hands." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to change my dress. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine