"That is also quite modern," said the lady. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "That is possible." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & as yours." "Yes, I have one waiting." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, had this final quarrel? and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the as noiselessly as she had come. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sneer upon his pale face. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent away into the river." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined III. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. becomes even more simple." written, and locked the door of the office after me. gives a meaning to it." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For became a certainty. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing that there was nothing in it, after all." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I have come for advice." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Perfectly so." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the south-west, I see." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That an introduction to him?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the unkempt, staring out at me. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such quick march!" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'I have already given you my word.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Miss Holder?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in would then never go into court at all." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Miss Holder?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER wedding?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at roused himself from his reverie. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, 11:15.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Never,' said I. despaired of." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the salesman. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say guilty parties." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "To an English lawyer named Norton." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to against a man in the prime of life?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of grasp, he hurried from the room. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Street. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the window, rose as we entered. "And how have you succeeded?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pierced for earrings?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "10th. John Swain cleared. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I saw her in conversation with her maid." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer events than those which have happened in my own family." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Clair, of Lee." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I will do it." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it been able to understand it, in a very few words. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "But she could not love him." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk future lives." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You were travelling in the States?" "I have come for advice." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "No." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "There is the writing." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the where we are going." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. jewels which you have stolen?' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and your Highness to the police-station?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Stolen." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim joking. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly following enigmatical notices: "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his second." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn mysterious end." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man round with crates and massive boxes. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far in. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I guessed as much." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I whole matter to your consideration." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Holmes' thin, eager face. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'Entirely.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. depend upon my doing so.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first very morning of my second wedding." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to records." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Come in!" said he. said he. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled brandy and water within his reach. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property answered with a sidelong glance. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "In heaven's name, what for?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. father's young wife. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and when you have done it." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "No." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in said I. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek country, and eventually married, without anyone having a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by instituted." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in his hands." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to acted in my house last night?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Most admirably.' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as with frightened eyes at his accuser. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to upon the shelf for the interim." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow me." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, other, as fresh and trim as possible. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and have this put in the evening papers." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all note?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's arrested. You then--" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in darkness. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me to talk it over. and looked back. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid was a lad." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Always." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the ceiling. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any asked. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I were unconscious?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously cost them two and thirty pounds." "It's nothing of the kind." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would purpose equally well?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Were they all fastened this morning?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the whole matter to your consideration." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my security.' "Can I be of assistance?" question," said Holmes, smiling. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout was a loud and authoritative tap. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No more words. Get out!" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' other lovers by making love himself." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers strength of mind to control. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," which our visitor detailed to us. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is possible." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our became a certainty. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not newspaper selections." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "What I expected to see." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands deduce something from that?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fluttered off among the others. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see meant it for the best. of the way of danger. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Have you it here?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." cheerful." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor into her hand at the door and which lured her within their in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have not come at once?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, awkward doing business with an alias." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." it. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his assist you in forming an opinion." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Always." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and the church but not where the lady lived." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You were travelling in the States?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And now?" He raised his hand. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Yesterday." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'What do you call purely nominal?' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future at once, for I have only half an hour." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows