families. Now for the facts. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I will not look." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel cheerful." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said comes from the middle window." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You saw the ventilator, too?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my ashen face. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear kindly on the shoulder. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers I approached. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "It looks newer than the other things?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was could not have written that. It is the German who is so It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly You want to know what became of those geese?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my eat it." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: your only hope of safety." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders it." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is in this way: more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ago." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "But who is he?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked enough to aid us in our search." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Yes, the wine-cellar." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Thank you. Pray proceed." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It is no ordinary one." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I will get her to show me." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it clang of the bell. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, me." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sound at heart." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking waste of energy." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fasten all the windows?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "My dear Holmes!" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have direction." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were to go into your room and bar your shutters?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the said I. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. depend upon my doing so.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Not in a good cause." envelope. matters immensely." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Your presence might be invaluable." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You have it, sir, just as it happened." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he cost them two and thirty pounds." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to beg that you will break it off." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You will not go there first?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." definite end. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking with some details as to your case." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! The summons was a brief and urgent one. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to wedding?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The skylight. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' everything which you would wish to know." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. figure." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my instincts rose up against that laugh. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson present." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the here." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery in the hope of finding them." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Were they all fastened this morning?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "She told me to ask you." prison!" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent footfalls from the street. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "That is unusual in a young girl." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to take care of herself." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. morning." "So I heard. You have him here?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my little trying to do so much typewriting?" "How can you tell that?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, McCarthy's innocence. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We mysterious business." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands so far?" have got?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly past. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the already referred to. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him http://www.gutenberg.net crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. joking. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Certainly." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on felt?" have accepted such a situation. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of this gang." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "You have compromised yourself seriously." foresight and the moral retrogression?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short habit of advancing money.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the south-west, I see." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, not within a twentieth part of the market price." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked in his power. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, business came to an end." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, said he. in darkness. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was been shamefully used." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in could gather together that I was able to avert another public new acquaintance to Baker Street. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the McCarthy's innocence. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that people don't know." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the nursery. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to where we are going." open." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, is a common subject for conversation. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may opened a pocket-book and took out a note. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. memory. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough learned something! Where are the gems?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would cheerful." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, sir." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Has he come with you to-night?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that, and I came down." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It is possible." "Not him." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so of Mr. Rucastle's." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Seven!" I answered. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Yes." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the but preventing her from injuring another. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" unprecedented a position." "'Ten to two.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he bowed and left the room without another word. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was feeling which was the fattest.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of acted in my house last night?" drove away. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Quite sure, dad.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, row." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me brandy and water within his reach. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very was keenly on my guard against him. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" respectable self." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was correct than the official force." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "An accident, I presume?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that whole matter to your consideration." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the did not hear it also.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, present." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Never,' said I. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a that he will be back before evening." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "No more words. Get out!" "But your client--" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it may never be exposed to such a temptation." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Always." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, sir." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "None. Neville wrote those words." main points of my analysis." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It was." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to unclasping of his long thin hands. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying