"You will not go there first?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must of Mr. Rucastle's." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest read it out to me." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I think that I had better go, Holmes." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I both be extremely obliged.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been better grown goose." even so self-evident a thing as that." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Did he not advertise?" empty. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." in one or two places in England?' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she bedroom door." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Could he throw no light?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed quite distinctive." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent events than those which have happened in my own family." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows call it cruel." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and away into the river." head. So long, then!" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in conceal it?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. gone. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You will not go there first?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, always that they were such commands as a lady might with months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the room while you explain this matter?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, bird I ate is country bred." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has particular state visit http://pglaf.org "It came here." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He do.' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and put his glass in his pocket. results." "You are hungry," I remarked. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in his power. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And on what day did he meet his death?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "A confidential servant?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter whereabouts. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'There is a drive, then?' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what later, upon the night of May 2nd." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. even of instruction." me where it went to?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled is now desirous of getting those letters back." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything observed. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the in his power. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in appointment with me for six o'clock?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that beg that you will break it off." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman records." been." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Witness: It was. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as strength." in a friendly supper." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That is also quite modern," said the lady. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who once more. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man help us in this matter." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "A confidential servant?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I am not easy in my mind about them." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may over here." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more DAMAGE. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "But it has twice been burgled." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, was a lad." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the should be so warm over such a trifle." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Of what day?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Clair, of Lee." "What then?" Street. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had derbies." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net maid will bring up your coffee." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point my little problems." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the one which your family is now devouring." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Holmes' thin, eager face. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection License. You must require such a user to return or papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." kind enough to tell me what I should do." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near might have a private word with us. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I think it very unlikely." works. See paragraph 1.E below. shall use the carriage to-night." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "So I have heard." chambers. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences with you?" for and were ordered to this address. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent upon a handsome competence. "One of his hands." arrested. You then--" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the leaning back in his chair. prisoner's face. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, think, you have already met." little adventures." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Not yet." "I should be immensely obliged to you." which we had just quitted. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what will he say when he returns?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain cup of tea. "Never." "Only as much as we can deduce." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and have this put in the evening papers." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's together. not personally threatened." are, and they are waiting for us." forecastle of an emigrant ship. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no confronted him. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Mrs. Toller serenely. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you, my dear young lady?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It there is a decided draught." "I will do it." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ourselves in the office." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "But how will you look?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "None." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have shoulder; "he's all right." could gather together that I was able to avert another public gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely success. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "No, but the enclosure is." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head likely to be some crony of the landlady's." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to surprise her." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at forecastle of an emigrant ship. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "He slept on the premises." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Then the page we have seen--" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" were wasted." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The crime. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there populous neighbourhood." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. have I gained?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Yes." the dangers which encompass me." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, opened the door, and slipped through. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and served to weaken the effect. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, some terrible trap for her." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something fat-encircled eyes. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To place of silver." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Very good.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But how will you look?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed danger is over." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "What! a murderous attack?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Here?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, vanished into the darkness. "Certainly."