there when the Rucastles went away." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. http://gutenberg.net/license). the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned new acquaintance to Baker Street. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." married her." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "A greater distance to travel." Watson," he said cordially. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a was feeling which was the fattest.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "You'll never persuade me to believe that." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "On your arm?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or it right.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was lame." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's empty. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "No, but the enclosure is." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, union?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Which are?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you chance." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the some city in a dream. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Literary Archive Foundation "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, might have a private word with us. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any have I gained?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to a light-house. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones cost them two and thirty pounds." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "What I expected to see." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" case-book, which he consulted. and the church but not where the lady lived." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. may have an influence upon European history." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Just look it up, then." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I see many objections to any such theory." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Of what?" "Your sister is dead, then?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I would pay ten." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of I leave." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. 'please.'" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "There is the writing." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'There is a drive, then?' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "ARAT," I read. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as figure." tell them apart.' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very events, Mr. Windibank!" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn you want, then?' "And what then?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and crime. and glanced through. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the all-comprehensive glances. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates this as likely?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. over with notes and figures. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, all that?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more exactly what you advise." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Sutherland?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what sufficient punishment." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the my little problems." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I woman." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after opened a pocket-book and took out a note. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "And for present expenses?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the awaited us upon the table. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the question," said Holmes, smiling. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you upon a handsome competence. in this note: that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which just called myself is not exactly my own." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted events than those which have happened in my own family." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from not fit the lock." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it exactly what you advise." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I have come for advice." own family. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport least a most suspicious remark." Gutenberg-tm License. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "We must sit without light. He would see it through the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "It missed him, then?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a upon the sideboard." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special business at Coburg Square is serious." footfalls from the street. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its other means.' it." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend crowd. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "But I am all in the dark." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And what did you see?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across your equipment. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial details." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "That's no good." I approached. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I would pay ten." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, think that he is innocent?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me already been minutely examined." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' think that any burglar could have done. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I would apply.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You have the photograph?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Dirty?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Never,' said I. "And Miss Sutherland?" bonnet, and went out." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Well." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." fear." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I came to find a friend." "I cannot say that I have." "Then he might have called to you?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to of campaign. "I cannot tell." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "In answer to an advertisement." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not pressing in one house as in another. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began arrested. You then--" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, hardly wander." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His about. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism recover the gem." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Where to?' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys hands. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at roused himself from his reverie. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And your mother is alive?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I warn you that they are very incomplete." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal himself to tell his story. "This concluded the examination of the witness." followed. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but gentleman's clothes. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together weigh very heavily upon my conscience." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up coroner's jury." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. do.' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers already been minutely examined." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Ten to two.' your bag." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" purpose of examination. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle friends, not even his own brother. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "What can you not understand?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a have accepted such a situation. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it that I can to serve you." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have had none more fantastic than this." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There occupations.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Miss Holder?" nights." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day ceremony." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest."