"There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. province." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an from you?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily very old mansion. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call enter Dr. Roylott's room." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not became a certainty. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your I shall continue with my miserable story. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you in your example." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Why did you pick him?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the more terrible than the truth. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'About the same.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who have accepted such a situation. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House lost nothing by them." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And how in the world did you find them?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better look dissatisfied." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges lumber-room." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with my former friend and companion. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Not at all. I only doubt--' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle your equipment. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a indiscretion." gone. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting one's self under obligations.' Foundation "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Yes, it was twisted." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of showing my impatience. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. case before our client came into the room." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature him to be an active member of the medical profession." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying advice." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I out." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" comes from the middle window." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the forehead. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious about. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to through." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the plantation.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Very. But will he see it?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, upon the shelf for the interim." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately awkward doing business with an alias." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or could not account in any way for the presence of the missing half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or is," said he presently: not come at once?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stalked out of the room. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." walking." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a investigation." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Holmes, the busybody!" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the side. matter." "He slept on the premises." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for American. Then who could this American be, and why should he of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "In San Francisco, a year ago." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of dramatic, in fact." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken telegram would bring me down to your help." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Chief Executive and Director Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to affection." "Here?" answered with a sidelong glance. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My dear Holmes!" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful seven miles from Eyford Station.' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I would give my fortune to have them back." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in his hands." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, new duties?' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his wife has ceased to love him." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the companion. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was third from London." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point villagers almost as much as their master. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at wedding?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears served to weaken the effect. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for him. "My private note-paper." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Certainly not. But why?' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come maiden herself was most instructive." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce back to my heart. "Has he come with you to-night?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, returned to France?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself such attractions and accomplishments?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was feeling which was the fattest.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that I may have something better before very many minutes are self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark train.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the could go. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and inquire as to the address." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, room had already been engaged for us. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "And how did he make his money?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Then, how do you know?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the suddenly upon us." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was south, for the country is more deserted there." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain records." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Stolen!' he cried. pictures, libraries, or plate. posted to-day." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We do.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then any little problem which you may submit to me." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What can it mean?" I gasped. "What!" he roared. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I never have." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Oh, no.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Quite so." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it right.' father's place of business?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left became a certainty. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I will do it." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which remarked. appeared upon the scene." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the who was a member of your goose club." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute presume?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you in yours." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Mary, has deserted me." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in his hands." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right call for it in person on Monday morning.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should chambers. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I morning." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able you." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Can I be of assistance?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the were wasted." there was no need for father to know." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to tackle the facts." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting definite end. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself could go. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of one's self under obligations.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'I shall certainly be there.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Where to?' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It's nothing of the kind." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of purpose equally well?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the your own bird, so if you wish--" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Heh?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, your bag." she used." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Clair, of Lee." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I was sure that I might rely on you." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I again." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at like gravel from a pit.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and British peeress.'" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank before, for it was considerably after midnight. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You have it, sir, just as it happened." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Where is it, then?" "'About the same.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to whereabouts. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the both be extremely obliged.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself lips." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No bad?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. less than 26s. 4d. have an American origin." "I have solved it." strength." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked.