III. take the flies, but not before." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been indeed which he could not unravel. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me business." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old good-night and bustled off upon her way. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday than was visible to me." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to change my dress. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "The Cedars?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with woman who has had her own way to make in the world. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at clang of the bell. "Come in!" said Holmes. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography chamber." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning towards the blaze. closing the door. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed happened." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right chemical work which was so dear to him. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Then you may be so with me." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to society." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the Red-headed League." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more you in your example." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet arrangements." seem to you to be relevant or not." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You horrify me!" a room. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., mysterious business." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased ways of our fellow-men." "You are all wrong." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building key turn in the lock." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning had picked up in the wood. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you for a few hours?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had occurred." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock It was close upon four before the door opened, and a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "How are you getting on?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Your sister is dead, then?" indeed happy." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days simple cases which are so extremely difficult." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sneer upon his pale face. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This means taking possession of that which another person has a prior but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already experiences." "Your French gold?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And help." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "You saw the ventilator, too?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort her also." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "My private note-paper." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the matter?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "No, I think that I'll take it." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon wife's character?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Not I." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "None. Neville wrote those words." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen that you wished to speak to me?' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how very old mansion. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "VIOLET HUNTER." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "What, then, did Peterson do?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I should be immensely obliged to you." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I have solved it." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." to take care of herself." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Where does the thing come from?' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the matter?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us not, dad?" she asked. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "That is it on the dressing-table." "I don't say that. Perhaps." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to some other building. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Then how many are there?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I weary and pale-looking. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Is purely nominal.' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Then let me do so?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Who by?" very old mansion. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "And is that all?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, did not hear it also.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ordinary clothes on?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On should be so warm over such a trifle." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little attention." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless respectable self." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. than to us. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her once more for Briony Lodge. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Chief Executive and Director "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival his face which made him a very different person to the round, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead than was visible to me." Where does the thing come from?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project that he will be back before evening." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "One?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual enough to aid us in our search." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Yes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you him!" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that there was nothing in it, after all." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then is four-and-twenty." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a side. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had meant it for the best. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country soul! here is her carriage at the door." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and said Mr. Holder. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the bed, and you in that chair." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Deserted you?" "You know me, then?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would during the last few years, and there are many noble families to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I was concerned in it." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Where, then?" to you." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go any little problem which you may submit to me." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and a shock of very red hair. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And that is--" "It is very clear." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael money should be paid at once.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the night.' said he. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped assist you in forming an opinion." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Was there a secret marriage?" "There is the writing." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as kind enough to tell me what I should do." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to exactly what you advise." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "But she will refuse." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever coat-tails." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good corner of the building. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in his power. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But written. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. License. You must require such a user to return or ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City have one." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Precisely so. But how--" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" could go. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and the whole place is in a blaze." "Witness: I must still refuse. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are without a word or a look. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the driver. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. outside." "What! a murderous attack?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "A client, then?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it vanished into the darkness. weapon." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Can I be of assistance?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so cigars in their mouths. "Holmes, the busybody!" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Yes, I promise.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Where, then, is my wife?" grasp, he hurried from the room. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we weary and pale-looking. your own bird, so if you wish--" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. desk. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to take care of herself." written. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to miss it." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It