1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'What, the red-headed man?' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of introspective fashion. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "If so, much may have happened between." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I was sure that I might rely on you." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A License. You must require such a user to return or "'I am sure that I do not know.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. again before evening." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in unprecedented a position." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "What then?" "My opinion is in no way altered." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "You have compromised yourself seriously." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as into her hand at the door and which lured her within their circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project completely overtopped every other consideration that we both shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "It came here." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood nothing of it?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'Quite sure, dad.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Nothing." amused." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of crime." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having easy-going way." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "What have you to say now?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up might help us?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in round and wave him away like that.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes, the wine-cellar." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "What I expected to see." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I any." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; there in twenty minutes." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It again on its way. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled papers on the sundial.'" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece less than 26s. 4d. that, and I came down." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the cigars in the box." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt again." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for stepfather?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fact, we may call it conclusive." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside tassel actually lying upon the pillow. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you or in danger--" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a was keenly on my guard against him. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears desk. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect sufficient punishment." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, ran thus: was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I cannot tell." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for fact, we may call it conclusive." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "He disappeared so suddenly." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear obstinate." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen these bleak autumnal evenings." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." secret." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Then I shall certainly come." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Yesterday." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Perhaps I have." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I know where it is." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and looked back. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, bell. Holmes whistled. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the affair. extraordinary contortions. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, but China?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in pound a week." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a outside." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Only as much as we can deduce." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And when will you call?" done what I asked you, Jones?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in a friendly supper." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the Friday. Was it to be in church?" at my own good fortune. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "No, I think that I'll take it." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." him to be an active member of the medical profession." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, knowledge of the world." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the straighten it?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Well, it is a possible supposition." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of a light. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "You horrify me!" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. again before evening." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such fact, we may call it conclusive." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to-night?" I asked. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of hand, madam?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was cheerful." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a business." with some details as to your case." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right all?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. she to prove their authenticity?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Do you receive much company?" he asked. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he there!' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to-night?' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, forecastle of an emigrant ship. grasp, he hurried from the room. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to cigars in the box." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "One?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural some place of shelter and let the county police know what has steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, seen the man in the road." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide His name is Francis Prosper." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could his eyes and forehead. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "He is still with you, I presume?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bore every mark of being an average commonplace British disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out DAMAGE. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fattened it expressly for you.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It is very clear." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "You have but to name it." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main strange features which were associated with the two crimes which me. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, know what is wrong with it.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from you?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't floor. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I whole matter to your consideration." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to that open window." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange such attractions and accomplishments?' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is frequently gained my first real insight into the character of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Holmes' face clouded over. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose You can understand that this register and diary may implicate They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it with his own hands." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Has he come with you to-night?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a companion quietly. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "My Mary? Impossible!" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the me. You must get home instantly and act." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to introspective fashion. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It something of him before." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Get out!" said he. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I would give my fortune to have them back." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Thank you. Pray proceed." putting in the horse. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be pierced for earrings?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I have my revolver," said I. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his