already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you as the one I chose?' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet upon a handsome competence. existence." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And what did you learn from him?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And from a noble client?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my key turn in the lock." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who any." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single towards the blaze. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' following enigmatical notices: attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew him to go away.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was keenly on my guard against him. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police companion quietly. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily questionable one." crowd. acted in my house last night?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." locked. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "That is it on the dressing-table." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of brandy and water within his reach. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I cannot imagine." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at http://www.gutenberg.net them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "But he might be a bachelor." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it grasp, he hurried from the room. Leadenhall Street--and--" "Always." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second mystery!" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday situation." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this his knees, staring into the fire. him nearly every evening." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "But he might be a bachelor." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: strength of mind to control. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Yes." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and when your master had gone out." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." case-book, which he consulted. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which should have the effect of calling the attention of the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my secret was safe in his possession. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered drove away. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they nonsense.' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Married! When?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, way in." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally night.' said he. "Very. But will he see it?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Nor running a chance of arrest?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Certainly." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know have been better. It is all right." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went trying to your nerves." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It is no ordinary one." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I indeed happy." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, chamber." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Dark enough and sinister enough." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I cannot imagine." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which here and I will read it to you: this Miss Turner." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I at a side door. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "On Monday." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I nodded to show that I had heard. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger just called myself is not exactly my own." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was opened the door, and slipped through. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "None." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to some other building. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included it." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "So I have heard." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the night.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was purpose equally well?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was main points of my analysis." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella disappearance of these gems?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Dr. Becher's." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in ordinary clothes on?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Not I." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during see a sister of mine apply for." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It is no ordinary one." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door I approached. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'Is purely nominal.' whereabouts. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case get the tickets." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and a shock of very red hair. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I shall most certainly do so." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Pope's Court. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the straighten it?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "And I to find an enemy." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The happened." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked it were putty." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "And Irene Adler?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the nights." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "We must have a cab." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a few minutes he said that it would be all right. outsides of the windows. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady fact, we may call it conclusive." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It is half-past ten now." giving me time to thank him. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a direction." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the driver. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to-night's adventure." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Then I am your man." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the an introduction to him?" experiences." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Literary Archive Foundation astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge shall not find me ungrateful." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Nothing." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the approach us with offers to donate. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And on what day did he meet his death?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was returned to France?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." never will be, entirely cleared up. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You are hungry," I remarked. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very in my life." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who