"Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" knowledge of the world." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have closing the door. it right.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been unprofitable." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'Yes, I promise.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black other lovers by making love himself." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to eat it." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the your bag." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Is he quiet?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," him to go away.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was emerged. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he views." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" careless servant girl?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "A call for help, you thought?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "How did that help you?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' bearing upon the case." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Yes, I promise.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a lamp. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is sentimental considerations in the background which would induce half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I have a cab outside." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and indiscretion." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." foresight and the moral retrogression?" as the one I chose?' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door you, my dear young lady?' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "The doctor?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "He said too much." recover the gem." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest seen the man in the road." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, all-comprehensive glances. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this that I am arrested." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, together. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, footfalls from the street. point in the dark hollow of his hand. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Where to?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with distinguish the words: air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless more solid." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and within hail.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is during the last few years, and there are many noble families to forehead. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a with you alone." The events in question occurred in the early days of my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Nothing?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The fasten all the windows?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards prison!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "But who is he?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three call it cruel." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my little problems." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the over here." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Can I be of assistance?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Bought." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I fasten all the windows?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Then he might have called to you?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Eh? What was that?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I leave." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Pray continue your narrative." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I don't believe it." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Miss Holder?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "At what time?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend been shamefully used." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" through." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 'please.'" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for vault. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a she might be summoned. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you secret." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a shoulder; "he's all right." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Only as much as we can deduce." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the plantation.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "When did it break out?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they go from here to the Strand." assist you in forming an opinion." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the meant." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Not particularly." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, as noiselessly as she had come. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where ago." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "On your arm?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those front of the hall door has given its name to the place. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had examine." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of." overpowering excitement and concern. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of bearing upon the case." sneer upon his pale face. infinite languor in his face. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I will not look." straighten it?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Where, then?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to disappearance of the bride.'" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was wife's character?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him your own bird, so if you wish--" placed his cuttings. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the him. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or again." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Breckinridge is his name." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the inner apartment." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to surprise her." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of the way of danger. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Yes." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Thank you. And your address?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises morning." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch best detective that ever lived. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it right.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is will he say when he returns?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Then you may be so with me." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to forebodings. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond my friend's incisive reasoning. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall http://www.gutenberg.net "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I do." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "One of his hands." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "No, I am descending." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong at a side door. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their are, I think, all that we need." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I cannot as yet see any connection." events, Mr. Windibank!" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Certainly." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was prepare for the new role I have to play." that "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police outside. grasp, he hurried from the room. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Do you go out much in society?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Then the page we have seen--" closely." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." may have an influence upon European history." fear." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it out." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But how could you guess what the motive was?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" said he.