said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the train.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "He is still with you, I presume?" "I am about to be married." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Who was the criminal, then?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she could gather together that I was able to avert another public convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we legal crime." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and said I. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Only as much as we can deduce." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Certainly." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he throat." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "But what will you do?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that enough to aid us in our search." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Pray do so." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, way: found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Yes." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I article?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Project Gutenberg-tm works. business?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." weighed down with some great anxiety. walking." "'Entirely.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "But the mystery?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "What then?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the The summons was a brief and urgent one. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, bedroom door." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the night.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the as yours." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses ashen face. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp said Mr. Holder. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere think, you have already met." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You know me, then?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in introspective fashion. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. from the brougham. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the devil!" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and floor. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the coronet in his hands?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts where Mr. Fordham shows you.' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more look dissatisfied." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the round and wave him away like that.' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Deserted you?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "10th. John Swain cleared. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "In the cells." "Yes." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Was the window open?" just called myself is not exactly my own." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite chambers. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was we went to search for him, face downward in a little him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Yes, sir.' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I am sure." in. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. feature." Heh?' of this gang." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they that he will be back before evening." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in a good hundred miles off by now." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "What can it mean?" I gasped. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "A client, then?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "She will not sell." answer." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Whose house is it?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would me have 200 pounds?' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all perplexity from it to my illustrious client. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Only as much as we can deduce." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It a room. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly again before evening." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I footfalls from the street. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have weapon." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When fatally injured? assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It is to him that this trophy belongs." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, as this. Pray let me have the details." third from London." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "It is very kind of you." "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "And leave your case unfinished?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from fish-monger and a tide-waiter." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "On your arm?" his cane at the bell-pull. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you for a few hours?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. direction." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I cannot think." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it said he. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Not particularly." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to call for it in person on Monday morning.' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured been deceived." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to change my dress. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg comes from the middle window." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Yes, that is the Crown." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a conclusions. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs records." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and no precautions can guard against." the best of training." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I tapping his fingers upon the table. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and six. Come in!" six. Come in!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Not I." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" evidence," I remarked. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What I expected to see." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my gbnewby@pglaf.org this unhappy family?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from daring than any effort of the imagination." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my here and I will read it to you: "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely wife's character?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Dr. Becher's." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "And how in the world did you find them?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the back alive. there was no need for father to know." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, it." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the night.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose companion imperturbably. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of the vacancies.' "'Never.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and electronic works straighten it?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm extraordinary contortions. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, time." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to manager. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the money should be paid at once.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Sholtos." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." John Swain, of St. Augustine. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. photograph?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "And your mother is alive?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You think that he is dead?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes." "It is possible." forehead. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "But it has twice been burgled." important." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "No, thank goodness, she did not." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." chambers. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. voice, changing her seat as requested. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You purpose of examination. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the more terrible than the truth. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there