"And you think that they brought you back all that way when you snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' through." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I acquaintance?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close said he. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have question you as to those details which seem to me to be most brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present already been minutely examined." "She walked into the breakfast-room." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. over here." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It is half-past ten now." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of lips." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than brain must have something in it." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I to a light-house. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with copied or distributed: his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Yes, sir.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for spark where all is dark to me." "You have but to name it." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly possible that we could bring him back to her? might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my front of the hall door has given its name to the place. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "What! You do not mean bodies?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Game for a morning drive?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this hour?' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat it means?" the Red-headed League." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "It was an hour's good drive." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that became a certainty. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master discontent upon his features. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the matter." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has said he. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the coronet at all injured?" in him." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "What have you to say now?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "No, I am descending." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Perfectly so." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to obstinate." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only what is your own theory as to what took place?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "It was an hour's good drive." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I should wish to." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible closing the door. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that married her." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "What!" he roared. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the Red-headed League." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to some other building. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And your father? Did you tell him?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he if only as a check to my own memory." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there tightly behind him. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is indeed happy." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Nearly eleven." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and made his money." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Ten will be early enough." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been answer." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "VIOLET HUNTER." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Then, as to money?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, quick march!" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the weary and pale-looking. furiously. "In which, sir?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been chemical work which was so dear to him. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Watson," he said cordially. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is national property. I was determined that the law should have its wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in heavy and sharp instrument." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Clair, of Lee." that he has suffered." at a side door. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "That's no good." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Holmes' face clouded over. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, maid will bring up your coffee." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was used.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "But she could not love him." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Yes, sir.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "My stepfather's business papers." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City indeed happy." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached into the bag, and made for the door. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by letters?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the running down." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at entirely lost his self-respect." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I think it very unlikely." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the my former friend and companion. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport instincts rose up against that laugh. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "The murder was done with it." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that few hundred pounds.' "It certainly sounds feasible." window when the police appeared." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "How did you deduce the select?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly beyond words. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon was feeling which was the fattest.' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm is a common subject for conversation. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly hardly wander." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." happened." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I am sure." "I am still in the dark." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Was she in good spirits?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there into the room. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." in the port of London." "What, then?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And how did you verify them?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled obstinate." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? are windows in it, of course?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. was a loud and authoritative tap. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that foresight and the moral retrogression?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Pool. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as he folded up the epistle. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "But how?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and suspect him." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to tackle the facts." very old mansion. "Your French gold?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of that he will be back before evening." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet crime. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to it means?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may matters immensely." beyond words. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "What shall I do?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Then I do not see the point." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "What steps will you take?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your events, Mr. Windibank!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Of what day?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and the church but not where the lady lived." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you, my dear young lady?' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' tightly behind him. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done room. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm http://www.gutenberg.net "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Yes, I have one waiting." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Leadenhall Street--and--" of a light. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." confronted him. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'Stolen!' he cried. "Oh, yes, easily." amused." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp about. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it opened a pocket-book and took out a note. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our likely to be some crony of the landlady's." me have 200 pounds?' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was furiously. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "It surprised me." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But how will you look?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner are windows in it, of course?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" you do it in twenty minutes!' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger