whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Witness: Nothing definite. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Not in the least." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring you give your casting vote to?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It certainly sounds feasible." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Tired-looking or fresh?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken weary and pale-looking. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and business came to an end." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Why, it's a dummy," said he. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Well." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Ample.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." are windows in it, of course?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Young McCarthy must be got off, however." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so answered with a sidelong glance. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and had this final quarrel? suspect him." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which floor. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of envelope. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' astonishment. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would which was all perfectly true. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the to change my dress. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent joking. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he hardly wander." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been you?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were easy-going way." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Certainly not. But why?' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." look dissatisfied." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of note-paper. It read in this fashion: takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I shall most certainly do so." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. whole matter to your consideration." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the loss of it. "When did it break out?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And how did you verify them?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I shall be delighted." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." carried out of court." strong and stiff." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Very much so." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at throat." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'Which dealer's?' "I beg pardon." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable nonsense.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Where, then?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Dr. Becher's." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and inquire as to the address." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "She showed me, as I told you she would." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his gone. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But you have hopes?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round call for it in person on Monday morning.' Edgeware Road. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bare slabs of marble. way in." "But his lameness?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been we went to search for him, face downward in a little however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over guilty parties." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Yes, certainly." so.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, to talk it over. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a corner of the building. how narrow had been my escape. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there delirious. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the companion. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a instituted." it means?" "It is possible." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself one else, I think." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. maid will bring up your coffee." to tell." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And you can do nothing until then?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that village inn over there?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Certainly." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "And how did you find out?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding there!' that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was a lad." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Yes, the wine-cellar." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he what is your own theory as to what took place?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the stable lane now." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You think that he is innocent?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "You know me, then?" depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an very morning of my second wedding." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Ah!" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would cup of tea. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or from you?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of them has the shutters up.' never to learn it at all." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, delighted to hear it," he said. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Very truly yours, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off confronted him. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "My dear Holmes!" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to have that photograph." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding threw himself down with his face to the pillow. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he she slowly sank and died without having recovered her explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you in your example." straightened it out again. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these during which he might have communicated with his friend the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to photograph?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of campaign. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. towards the blaze. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Entirely." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "9th. McCauley cleared. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Game for a morning drive?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' companion quietly. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," into the bag, and made for the door. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to have that photograph." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "And how did you verify them?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My without a word or a look. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is ordinary clothes on?" woman." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' rose-bushes. fire. You quite follow me?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to once more for Briony Lodge. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his