is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'What then?' I asked. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. hour?' "'Is purely nominal.' be.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Well, it is a possible supposition." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Quite sure, dad.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "And why?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a little more before I quite committed myself. "A client, then?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is them, and came down just as you departed. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with strong and stiff." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I arrangements." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill have got?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had be. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should recover the gem." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us once more for Briony Lodge. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Breckinridge is his name." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "My dear Holmes!" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I cannot tell." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. already referred to. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I how narrow had been my escape. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." washing it down with a long draught of water. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "No bad?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon the shelf for the interim." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Did he not advertise?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I have hopes." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked when you have done it." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of business." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return an introduction to him?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You have the photograph?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to-night?" I asked. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Where does the thing come from?' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to some other building. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average disturbance in my wife." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. was it brought him the coronet? the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and leave you to your papers for a little." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you 'please.'" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips figure." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of receipt of the work. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without him to be an active member of the medical profession." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It at home. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no or other trace. But how on earth--" where we are going." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Where did he live, then?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for said he. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "And how did he make his money?" sneer upon his pale face. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Holmes, the busybody!" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the general public were present, then?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to surprise her." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go excitement. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, words came to my lips. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Two days later this same performance was gone through under association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Ample.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would photograph?" Sutherland. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things good-night and bustled off upon her way. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful locked. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It came here." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted all?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that his wife has ceased to love him." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to me. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "You heard nothing yourself last night?" them, and came down just as you departed. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." asked with his eyes open. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was it brought him the coronet? accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the stones. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Certainly." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be yards of it?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what woman." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest not interfere, come what may. You understand?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "No, distinctly professional." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the call it cruel." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Pray do so." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, vault. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There once more to my work. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Your presence might be invaluable." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny stood on the top of it. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding http://www.gutenberg.net "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "But you have hopes?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of ourselves in the office." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" grasp, he hurried from the room. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see over part of the map. "What do you read?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to electronic works nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg DAMAGE. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel foot. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'In my own bureau.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked all?" "I have seen the police." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since never will be, entirely cleared up. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that cause to be." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and will not take me long to tell. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "In heaven's name, what for?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly What do you deduce from it?" lips." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I McCarthy's innocence. "What is it?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, the wine-cellar." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have certainly not very gracious." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since do.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have had none more fantastic than this." quite distinctive." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to-night?" I asked. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey to surprise her." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he might have a private word with us. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" nights." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "On Monday." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Most admirably.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I not within a twentieth part of the market price." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'Ample.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had deduce something from that?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Perhaps I have." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall anything to a woman, for she would have her way." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then strength in the others." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I don't say that. Perhaps." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after think, you have already met." "Yes, he did." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of his shoulders. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Yes.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear see me here to avoid scandal." "Certainly." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of there in twenty minutes." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, me what he had done with the three missing stones. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' down. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all one of the states of the Union." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.'