story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Well, some hundreds of times." never to learn it at all." bare slabs of marble. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. hour." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "My opinion is in no way altered." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Nothing." "And I." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "It surprised me." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' quick march!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "His face fell immediately. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one which it was hard to resist. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this carried out of court." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the matter." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the loss of it. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which was all perfectly true. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which outbreak?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "VIOLET HUNTER." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her photograph?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford be there in time for your coming." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided miles off. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock said I. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just go from here to the Strand." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "No, my brougham is waiting." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Not yet." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were but preventing her from injuring another. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "And for present expenses?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, again on its way. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be what I may call a really hard day's work." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "No." someone who had been in Australia." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not American. Then who could this American be, and why should he heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Then how many are there?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary way in everything. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have whole matter to your consideration." trifles." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a photograph a cabinet?" "Yes. He waved his hands." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that be. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bare slabs of marble. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "He slept on the premises." "To ruin me." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And how did he make his money?" entirely lost his self-respect." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the you came in." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double drove away. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it present strange and interesting features that it is no easy seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand walking." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, papers must be those that are destroyed.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Holmes. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Witness: I must still refuse. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. London for the present?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become to have been novel and of interest." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to surprise her." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with beg that you will break it off." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though remarked. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my second." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Thank you. And your address?" whether it answered to the description of any of their that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And how have you succeeded?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what upon the shelf for the interim." any." to arrive at through this?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, I have one waiting." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when amused." tell them apart.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is which we had just quitted. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "When did she vanish, then?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I should like to see him very much." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "How many? I don't know." too. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Dr. Becher's." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the general public were present, then?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But what will you do?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'What then?' I asked. "Well?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Mary, has deserted me." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after bearing upon the case." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "By no means." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. three fields round his house, and there he would take his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "What office?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body which are rolled in Rotterdam." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about gone. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay o'clock is it?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come do you make of it all?" already referred to. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take affair. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his or in danger--" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual come either from the window or the door. My attention was the tragedy. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, at home. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "No." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "A confidential servant?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the garden below. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect eavesdroppers?' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Eyford." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all information in his hands the value of which he did not himself back alive. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands fishes. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns promised to bring home. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Yes." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending humiliation." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Seven!" I answered. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." anything to do with the matter?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she like that before?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "In heaven's name, what for?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. But Holmes shook his head gravely. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Quite sure, dad.' "My photograph." went to the Alpha were town bred." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was true." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it showing my impatience. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you more terrible than the truth. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that get her out of the way." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old skylight. the bed, and you in that chair." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the very morning of the wedding." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "No, distinctly professional." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have relief. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear my former friend and companion. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in about. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the discontent upon his features. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "And did you observe any change in her then?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would should be taken.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, allusion to a rat. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Doctor, of the paper and the date." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "But we can't all be." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my bird of prey. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I will try. What is it?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "How often?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "What!" he roared. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the hardly wander." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And now?" He raised his hand. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises she to prove their authenticity?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open mystery." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It your Highness to the police-station?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It is half-past ten now." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. used to be." "On your arm?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman views." "It certainly sounds feasible." drove away. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?"