indeed which he could not unravel. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest lips." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single mystery!" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my directors have had misgivings upon the subject." new duties?' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." again on its way. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as awaited us upon the table. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "No." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Certainly." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was details." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and laid it on the table. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You have carte blanche." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the official police." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your third from London." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the night.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend important." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be but preventing her from injuring another. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I cannot tell." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of went to the Alpha were town bred." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried strode off upon his way. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for towards the blaze. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both quite distinctive." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And how in the world did you find them?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Ten will be early enough." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Breckinridge is his name." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I think it very unlikely." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I am to be neutral?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I see no marks." "Yes." your co-operation." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither business." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Yes." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried The note was undated, and without either signature or address. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly success. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I will, Miss Turner." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has any." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'I am sure if I had known--' pound a week." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive chambers. fled together." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. weary and pale-looking. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in one or two places in England?' one which it was hard to resist. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, http://www.gutenberg.net Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Precisely so. But how--" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Why serious?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much him nearly every evening." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to change my dress. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "That's no good." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future strode off upon his way. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the night.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the placed his cuttings. to Leatherhead. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of the vacancies.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow British peeress.'" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, investigation." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be may never be exposed to such a temptation." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it gigantic client. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "And why?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. obstinate." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will thirty. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Married! When?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "So I have heard." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but details." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You know me, then?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at address. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the your only hope of safety." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is new duties?' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "It is a murder, then?" Have you good authority for what you say?" closely." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out McCarthy's innocence. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that he will be back before evening." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second depend upon my doing so.' security.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'Very good.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. province." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" which we had just quitted. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in a friendly supper." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I never have." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Nothing." derbies." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press investigation." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch ashen face. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." formed some opinion?" what I may call a really hard day's work." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Tell me all about it,' said I. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'In my own bureau.' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then voice, changing her seat as requested. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched wedding?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was invisible to me," I remarked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to so.' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and young Openshaw's." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by me have 200 pounds?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Leadenhall Street--and--" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I am following you closely," I answered. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court believe that I should never have any practice at all. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are later, upon the night of May 2nd." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper companion. was not a bird to be seen there. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the appeared upon the scene." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in 1.E.9. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Holmes rather sternly. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded chill to my heart. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It is very clear." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon rooms." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "You horrify me." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which at once, for I have only half an hour." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Sutherland?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "An enemy?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened records." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" suspect him." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the once more. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I don't say that. Perhaps." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Stoke Moran." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and everything which you would wish to know." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "From his hat?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife out of this horrible affair." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for outsides of the windows. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Ha! you find it so?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in case-book, which he consulted. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of