common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I know where it is." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I door?" "But his left-handedness." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It is true that I have been generally successful." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Pope's Court. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "But your client--" sufficient punishment." certainly not very gracious." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Then I do not see the point." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' letters?" "'A dozen yards or so.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had she used." villagers almost as much as their master. yourselves in at night?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for question," said Holmes, smiling. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, been shamefully used." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. evidence," I remarked. sound at heart." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a do.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "It must be recovered." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready front of the hall door has given its name to the place. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And from a noble client?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the again." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this throat." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if bell. Holmes whistled. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already ran thus: to you." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "A greater distance to travel." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with discontent upon his features. colonel looking down at me. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not to where he stood hid behind the curtain. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and the whole place is in a blaze." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Literary Archive Foundation pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes, the wine-cellar." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was lame." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was a lad." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the him. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my what these perils are?" "But how will you look?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You were travelling in the States?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a a very grave face. place no limit on the sum I may draw." asked. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "You are all wrong." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his way in." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which she might be summoned. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, carriage. It was a chestnut." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Then I am your man." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off if I call to-morrow?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, better in every way that they should make their position a little "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "But the mystery?" whereabouts. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because me." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Well." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the During two years I have had three consultations and one small it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It is a murder, then?" "We were both in the photograph." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "What will you do, then?" It may be so in this case, also." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I people don't know." "But his left-handedness." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in darkness. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am still in the dark." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. papers." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are there were so many in the whole country as were brought together it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." you." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after orange pips. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that DAMAGE. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up key turn in the lock." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found other, as fresh and trim as possible. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I was afraid that you were engaged." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and visitors." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." like gravel from a pit.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her in this note: "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. where we are going." the Red-headed League." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the coronet in his hands?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the business." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the in him." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Lee, in the county of Kent." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the devil!" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that anything to do with the matter?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not she to prove their authenticity?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "VIOLET HUNTER." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And now?" I asked. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all of receipt of the work. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. held up the lantern and gazed about him. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger mystery!" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I been with you?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "So I am. Very much so." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I have my revolver," said I. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." notes," he said. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "But his left-handedness." "I never have." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And now?" I asked. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sake, don't!" "And what did you learn from him?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak had a long day." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Ten to two.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of Fenchurch Street." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Always." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to that open window." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "No, distinctly professional." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to call the police, let the police find what they can.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Here?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the families. Now for the facts. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the security.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, flock.' questioning and rather startled gaze. "Very murderous indeed." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine stepfather?" read it out to me." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Really! You surprise me." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the coronet in his hand?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' to-morrow." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And that is--" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me The telegram which we eventually received came late one night pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to I took the paper from him and read as follows: the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and strong reason behind." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you in your example." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what leave you to your papers for a little." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Well." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Is he quiet?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sentimental considerations in the background which would induce You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to sparkled upon his finger. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. fait accompli?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Where did you address your letters, then?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom your most interesting statement." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fluttered off among the others. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Who by?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay