"Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." everything which you would wish to know." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Quite so." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate chill to my heart. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down conclusions. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the new acquaintance to Baker Street. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "And you don't know his address?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I cannot think." shall not find me ungrateful." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so quick march!" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's minor matters until to-morrow." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good door?" seen the man in the road." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had come either from the window or the door. My attention was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be all that?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" seem to you to be relevant or not." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "She will not sell." results." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." appeal." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "But I am all in the dark." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste your most interesting statement." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he be. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, depend upon your compliance." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble is acting for the best. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon good-night and bustled off upon her way. roused himself from his reverie. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under any little problem which you may submit to me." "Witness: It was. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "He is dead," cried several voices. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here happened." "Certainly, madam." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." three of the beryls in it, was missing. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches in. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Yes.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "But what is it you wish?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "And your mother is alive?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and no precautions can guard against." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And I say east," said my patient. were wasted." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to have accepted such a situation. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who them?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. colour had been driven from his face. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad returned to France?" speckled band?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But how will you look?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." stepfather?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And Irene Adler?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just know all about it," he snarled. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now she to prove their authenticity?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father miles off. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Who was the criminal, then?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the John Swain, of St. Augustine. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "And the cigar-holder?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious conversation I have gathered that they have been married about without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "But you would not advise me to refuse?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases persecution?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "No good news?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "And how did you find out?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I think that it is very probable." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "No more words. Get out!" "None." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the shall not find me ungrateful." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "What do you make of that, Watson?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Then he might have called to you?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin outside. the so-precious time, but come!' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Which are?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood new acquaintance to Baker Street. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I am sure." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was in him." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "She will not sell." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "In which, sir?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some joking. but preventing her from injuring another. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Quite so. She has her freedom." Street. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Miss Holder?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and no precautions can guard against." your room." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "And from a noble client?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible empty. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less imbecility!" he cried. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the night.' said he. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," particular state visit http://pglaf.org of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, redistribution. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "And how did you find out?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of your young ladies.' "And you can do nothing until then?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'Where to?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this 11:15.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. tell me that you intended to go into harness." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Doctor, of the paper and the date." the driver. "I promise," said Holmes. "Precisely." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "The King of Scandinavia." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is questioning and rather startled gaze. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Entirely." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low written, and locked the door of the office after me. I shall communicate with you." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but off." business in the City. She little knew what. that you wished to speak to me?' into the bag, and made for the door. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the tension within him. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Pope's Court. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to himself. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "And sit in the dark?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at not come at once?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it way in." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in chance." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there legal crime." me." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'How far from the body?' do.' "I see no marks." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'I have heard so.' desk. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the lamp in his hand. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged begun to whiten, even as mine has." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and said I. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the intrusion of other matters." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice detained." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary voice. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back little adventures." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive gone. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Nothing." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what strength of mind to control. acquaintance?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "And how did he make his money?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He which it had come upon my father." forehead. narrative." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's opened the door, and slipped through. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up humiliation." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might if she died from some sudden fright." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over there was no need for father to know." "His face fell immediately. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and garden below. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked straightened it out again. "My opinion is in no way altered." crowd. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I have come for advice." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" some water from a caraffe. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, himself to hunt down. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to him!" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones suggested at once that there must be a communication between the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and I shall be with you presently." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "One of the highest in England." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Then, how do you know?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the eat it." from you?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Stolen, then." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'There is a drive, then?' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon