the inner apartment." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of you do it in twenty minutes!' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his grey eyes. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Where, then?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, next day. "The King of Scandinavia." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'It is locked up,' I answered. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was business matters.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the not personally threatened." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from undoubtedly my uncle's." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and status with the IRS. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is papers diligently of late, have you not?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand spare." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And is that all?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is half-past ten now." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the house with me." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I shall be delighted." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Have you good authority for what you say?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the matter." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after advice." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You think so, too?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "None." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has during which he might have communicated with his friend the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear your sleep?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on upon the white wrist. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "There is the writing." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Farm upon the left." dramatic, in fact." "Yes, but only for you and me." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'And the work?' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Stolen, then." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be danger is over." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Yes?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day about. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was it brought him the coronet? "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the than was visible to me." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. manager. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the chemical work which was so dear to him. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. without a word or a look. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "He said too much." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt handed it to him. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he bowed and left the room without another word. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Countess of Morcar's?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use quite distinctive." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders desk. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the companion. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too less than 26s. 4d. "One of the highest in England." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I have hopes." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The murder was done with it." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Seven!" I answered. clang of the bell. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "About a month then." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Will you go?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is one of the states of the Union." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! crackling voice. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "How did you deduce the select?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. speckled band?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I signal between you and your father? "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "My stepfather's business papers." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'I am sure that I do not know.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could train.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, business came to an end." this Miss Turner." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "And for present expenses?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the bears upon the case?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You have the photograph?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather acquaintance?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me suspect him." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in three of the beryls in it, was missing. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do bill, which interests me deeply." "Stoke Moran?" said he. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, lips." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And your father? Did you tell him?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Holmes. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, but only for you and me." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Pray continue your narrative." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem is four-and-twenty." upon an income of about 60 pounds." them?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Literary Archive Foundation followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and so far?" shoulder; "he's all right." "I should wish to." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Street. "'There is a drive, then?' security.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man away to you." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon made him keep the appointment." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I think it very unlikely." bonnet, and went out." "Frequently." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from business matters.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it intrusion of other matters." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." populous neighbourhood." business?" case-book, which he consulted. bearing upon the case." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or conclusions. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Not particularly." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to tackle the facts." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Certainly, madam." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "What I expected to see." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. For additional contact information: the coronet in his hands?" "Nothing." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself distinguish the words: "No more words. Get out!" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Precisely." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off allusion to a rat. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid that he will be back before evening." that he has suffered." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there easy-going way." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Not I." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, him nearly every evening." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "What! You do not mean bodies?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a ceremony." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently once more. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "But how did you gain them?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Does that suggest anything?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! will he say when he returns?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Project Gutenberg-tm works. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those introspective fashion. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the King without delay." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "You were travelling in the States?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "By no means." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus relation between them, and what the object of his repeated bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I quick march!" some city in a dream. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of already been minutely examined." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the tension within him. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Quite so. She has her freedom." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Why that?' I asks. an introduction to him?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'Yes, it was gone.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the goes." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and