case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Stoke Moran?" said he. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." hurried away. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his that he will be back before evening." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "And now?" He raised his hand. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a persecution?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "No, distinctly professional." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Witness: Nothing definite. happened." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. himself in a perplexing position. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. awkward doing business with an alias." tear off another piece?' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more present." "You forget that I know nothing about it." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net sentimental considerations in the background which would induce he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction conclusions. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other London for the present?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of system of imprisonment?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Cross for the Continent." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the south-west, I see." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "There is the writing." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Arthur Conan Doyle in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out voice, changing her seat as requested. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among late." "One of the highest in England." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I me where it went to?" colonel looking down at me. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story chance at all." "My stepfather's business papers." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any at my remark. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to me. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I promise," said Holmes. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Yes, sir.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I have my revolver," said I. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Then I do not see the point." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open woven round him. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do time." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact get her out of the way." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Dr. Becher's." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Holmes' face clouded over. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt away into the river." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "To the police?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And Irene Adler?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, gone. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler dramatic, in fact." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to you." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "But who is he?" "Do you go out much in society?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I should like to see him very much." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I cannot say that I have." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless correct than the official force." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive in the dead of the night?' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "A greater distance to travel." "I should wish to." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the been with you?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, in a friendly supper." other means.' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can which are rolled in Rotterdam." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to handed it to him. were unconscious?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "One of his hands." room had already been engaged for us. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a away into the river." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, to a light-house. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But we can't all be." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous served to weaken the effect. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far overpowering excitement and concern. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money not come at once?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: bell. Holmes whistled. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would strength." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since front of me. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that threaten you." that threaten you." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will whole matter to your consideration." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect completely overtopped every other consideration that we both round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had shoulder; "he's all right." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father writing, and yet I know it well." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly overpowering excitement and concern. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP conversation I have gathered that they have been married about object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of But Holmes shook his head gravely. wanted for ourselves." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Not in a good cause." "There are none." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any fatally injured? before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "She walked into the breakfast-room." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in so.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside like that before?" out of this horrible affair." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And sit in the dark?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and such person." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was lame." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce appeared upon the scene." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You were travelling in the States?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his acquaintance?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside best detective that ever lived. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Never to return." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time should be so warm over such a trifle." "What then?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I never have." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an might help us?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of is so. I know all about McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." husband's writing, madam." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Where to?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Your sister is dead, then?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, fasten all the windows?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Absolutely?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit your Highness to the police-station?" of Mr. Rucastle's." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. are, and they are waiting for us." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Why, what do you mean?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Which are?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and the whole place is in a blaze." like gravel from a pit.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It must be recovered." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' face and glided from the room. observed. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Holmes rather sternly. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Holmes rather sternly. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "What can you not understand?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which about here speaks of his kindness to him." it. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I have come for advice." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, prisoner's face. footfalls from the street. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the written, and locked the door of the office after me. in a very precise fashion." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling.