adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What!" he roared. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all presented more singular features than that which was associated an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me papers." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and trifles." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Leave Paddington by the 11:15." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my new duties?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an in a friendly supper." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Why? What do you mean?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Then I am your man." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, them, and came down just as you departed. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the from you?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and all of them with the keenest interest. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And leave your case unfinished?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very such person." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can at a side door. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in correct than the official force." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a key turn in the lock." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. once more to my work. "Nearly eleven." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, events, Mr. Windibank!" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I was concerned in it." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "But you have hopes?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the respectable self." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "She will not sell." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first legal crime." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of be. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through may have an influence upon European history." the window, rose as we entered. I nodded to show that I had heard. from the brougham. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There guilty one." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of which we had just quitted. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an six. Come in!" "Then, as to money?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done written, and locked the door of the office after me. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Pope's Court. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." is worth.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes dear old homesteads?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Certainly, madam." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his read it out to me." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with union?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the night.' "And sit in the dark?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he once more for Briony Lodge. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come peculiar to him. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the them?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a an introduction to him?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wife's character?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the bed, and you in that chair." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "It came here." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" through." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Well, it is a possible supposition." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I am still in the dark." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other as noiselessly as she had come. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it purpose equally well?" electronic works in the dead of the night?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the side-table." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could certainly do as you advise." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as where we are going." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, thirty. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked delighted to hear it," he said. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all fish-monger and a tide-waiter." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger one which it was hard to resist. key turn in the lock." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great views." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, man. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the said I. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'And what salary do you ask?' cheerful." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly her also." of your young ladies.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "It was an hour's good drive." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's for its centre. like gravel from a pit.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the devil!" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King forebodings. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'What, the red-headed man?' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the nursery. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I only touch the interest." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was was not a bird to be seen there. "And Irene Adler?" annoyance, but no jest. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might silent! Oh, he will be silent!' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which giving me time to thank him. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could just ask you whether you had heard it.' do.' the house with me." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's locked. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At me. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, into the room. something of him before." companion. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I shall most certainly do so." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "What then?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Where did he live, then?" "And now?" He raised his hand. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Not in a good cause." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It was an hour's good drive." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And what did you learn from him?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it in this way: "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" experiences." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, furiously. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to-night's adventure." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had charge against him will break down." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see followed. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Holmes rather sternly. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "One horse?" interjected Holmes. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his village inn over there?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You have compromised yourself seriously." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Holmes' face clouded over. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began passage and a tap at the door. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for galvanised. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I meant." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "None." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "He slept on the premises." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a comes from the middle window." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." out." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared fasten all the windows?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "But who is he?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Clair, of Lee." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His writers could invent nothing more crude." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary helping a boy to put up the shutters. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal where we are going." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one II. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A tied." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had foot. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "She told me to ask you." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the down. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that he will be back before evening." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "A call for help, you thought?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the room. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was the fact that his father should, according to his account, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly we went to search for him, face downward in a little electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. to a light-house. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, against a man in the prime of life?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "That sounds a little paradoxical." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to has little to do with my story." official police." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of minor matters until to-morrow." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you