relief. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the have got?" "Yes, it was twisted." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'I have heard so.' roused himself from his reverie. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still remarked. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more do.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his which it had come upon my father." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a in darkness. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old or in danger--" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be looking up at the numbers of the houses." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your McCarthy's innocence. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Not I." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "How did that help you?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You think so, too?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded seem to you to be relevant or not." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Witness: I must still refuse. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was shining brightly. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and an introduction to him?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "One of his hands." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it? Did I buy the geese off you?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I beg pardon." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I am armed." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time remarked. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I cannot as yet see any connection." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a get her out of the way." "But she will refuse." without a word or a look. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet spark where all is dark to me." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the matter?" correct than the official force." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left been shamefully used." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And how in the world did you find them?" will he say when he returns?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to will he say when he returns?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which call you and give you the chance." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Well, it is a possible supposition." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I closely." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his eat it." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works wedding?" nothing of it?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. him and tried to hold him back. "We were both in the photograph." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to Leatherhead. Arthur Conan Doyle in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what not as remarkable as your advertisement." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple evidence," I remarked. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be really the only notable feature about the thing." get the tickets." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Thank you. Pray proceed." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Ah, but I was recommended to you." outsides of the windows. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Tired-looking or fresh?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Yes, it was gone.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "You saw the ventilator, too?" seem to you to be relevant or not." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You were travelling in the States?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it digesting their breakfasts at home." signal between you and your father? Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner considering the formidable letters which were received by himself notes," he said. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should over here." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Pray tell us what has happened to you." him and tried to hold him back. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must happened." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" chambers. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the upon the white wrist. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Was he the only applicant?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes, but only for you and me." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his status with the IRS. footfalls from the street. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and it need not interfere very much with one's other Count Von Kramm." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who is acting for the best. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I walking." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and all of them with the keenest interest. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Well, but China?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "But his lameness?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "But who is he?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" opened the door, and slipped through. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the coronet in his hands?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and he bowed and left the room without another word. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Yes." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Ten will be early enough." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Sutherland?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my sufficient punishment." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have got?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it conduct the inquiry." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I fear not." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' obstinate." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the a suggestive one." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, been shamefully used." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague own family. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And sit in the dark?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible good for you to do.' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it visitors." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "One of the highest in England." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Entirely." "That was it, sir." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot think." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for nothing of it?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give my friend's incisive reasoning. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. child?' "Well?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the child." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your go--none." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the was keenly on my guard against him. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and way: "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Munro.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' exactly what you advise." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the coronet at all injured?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Certainly." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "By no means." back to my heart. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I had picked up in the wood. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." not as remarkable as your advertisement." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster crime." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no you want, then?' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that But Holmes shook his head gravely. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fuss that is made over them." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society take the flies, but not before." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached neither fascinating nor artistic." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left skylight. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace laugh and put his lips to my ear. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind have been better. It is all right." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his careless servant girl?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client morning." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the amused." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. public press." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is lips." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the very morning of the wedding." awaited us upon the table. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the warnings." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Yes. He waved his hands." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do.