Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted him to be an active member of the medical profession." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "But she will refuse." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "My photograph." "I know where it is." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Sholtos." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his lamp in his hand. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "The knees of his trousers." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Breckinridge is his name." "But what harm can there be in that?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She have been better. It is all right." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'I am sure if I had known--' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for instituted." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the made his money." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper clang of the bell. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring about here speaks of his kindness to him." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "My private note-paper." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, photograph a cabinet?" direction." remarked. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few place of silver." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in God! What an exposure! What can I do?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "But what will you do?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, come either from the window or the door. My attention was fasten all the windows?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I away into the river." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Of what day?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I never have." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that have I gained?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies memory. his face which made him a very different person to the round, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "He said too much." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, a monotonous occupation." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Come in!" said he. "I will, Miss Turner." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more go back?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, brandy and water within his reach. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest remarked. "Only as much as we can deduce." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "What I expected to see." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'Yes, sir.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "How can you tell that?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But how?" "It's nothing of the kind." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the populous neighbourhood." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the business matters.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered third from London." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for may never be exposed to such a temptation." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'And the work?' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental developed." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. has little to do with my story." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked our word." "That was it, sir." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Cross for the Continent." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Did your wife hear all this?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a little adventures." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Then what has happened to him?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and salesman. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. hour?' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Where to?' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never ways of our fellow-men." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Eyford at 11:15.' "And you don't know his address?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the within hail.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been conceal it?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, daring than any effort of the imagination." thirty. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Who was the criminal, then?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you forecastle of an emigrant ship. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary flock.' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "She showed me, as I told you she would." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In what way?" asked Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. carried out of court." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "That's no good." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, noting anything else of interest. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, good for you to do.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the running down." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. been." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. affection." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Never to return." more terrible than the truth. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for main points of my analysis." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of III. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of who was a member of your goose club." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the do you make of it all?" cup of tea. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it were putty." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in that there was nothing in it, after all." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all green of the new foliage. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in for and were ordered to this address. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation his grey eyes. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "She will not sell." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all your co-operation." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you chemical work which was so dear to him. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'You doubt its value?' he asked. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed there in twenty minutes." miles off. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this mysterious end." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "But she will refuse." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told there has been an enclosure here!" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Then, how do you know?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. heavily into it. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Street. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the matter?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the coronet in his hands?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man