"My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Stoke Moran." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly throat." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I leave." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, weary and pale-looking. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the matters immensely." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found like gravel from a pit.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the little opening for the ventilator is." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have anything to do with the matter?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are is," said he presently: he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled lamp in his hand. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who or other trace. But how on earth--" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen to you." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She His name is Francis Prosper." ventilator." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and a very grave face. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "But she will refuse." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the matter?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church been with you?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to miss it." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have had none more fantastic than this." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the 'please.'" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them foot. she to prove their authenticity?" for its centre. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible me have 200 pounds?' "How did you deduce the select?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I say that I have solved it." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I chair. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "No, my brougham is waiting." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And why?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my take the flies, but not before." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I assure you that I am in your hands." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "My opinion is in no way altered." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down will he say when he returns?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." or other trace. But how on earth--" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of so far?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the III. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, business in the City. She little knew what. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Absolutely?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Nothing." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and notes," he said. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'And the work?' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual words came to my lips. sake, don't!" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was placed his cuttings. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. promised to bring home. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen more terrible than the truth. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. generous with you in money matters.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'And what are they worth?' I asked. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: as this. Pray let me have the details." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to with her." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "And sit in the dark?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. way: and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Your French gold?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Yes, but only for you and me." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his congenial hunt. tell them apart.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'There is a drive, then?' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Holmes' face clouded over. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your one of the states of the Union." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties already been minutely examined." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of interests were the same as his." had picked up in the wood. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of it right.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it such person." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Ample.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Game for a morning drive?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I cannot think." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the not personally threatened." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Yes." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, humiliation." Holmes rather sternly. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was clanging. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of posted to-day." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Where did you address your letters, then?" you." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop recover the gem." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional During two years I have had three consultations and one small at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "But not more so than I to find you." "I see no marks." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Nothing." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the as this. Pray let me have the details." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the started for the Temple to see my husband. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that before taking the final step I should like to submit the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a ready to-morrow?' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly comes from the middle window." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream locked." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Heh?' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Nothing." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The Cedars?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and ordinary clothes on?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. directly by questioning you." "Only as much as we can deduce." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shoulder; "he's all right." prison!" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I cannot as yet see any connection." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Come in!" said he. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take bears upon the case?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I shall be delighted." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those cost them two and thirty pounds." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "And the cigar-holder?" "Pray do so." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a your bag." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Stolen!' he cried. should be so warm over such a trifle." front of me. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "They are typewritten," I remarked. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and disappearance of the bride.'" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a into the bag, and made for the door. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could you?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Tired-looking or fresh?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I was mad--insane." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside tear off another piece?' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were colonel looking down at me. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' was a perfect sample of the class. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Nothing?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a evidence," I remarked. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. them?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three man. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with you alone." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue frequently gained my first real insight into the character of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours wedding?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first call you and give you the chance." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective