which I could not give. He asked for Alice. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some upon the white wrist. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Did he not advertise?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said conclusions. points to suicide?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "What is it, then--a fire?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the salesman. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Ten will be early enough." Clair, of Lee." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What will you do, then?" "What of the rat, then?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon an income of about 60 pounds." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had down from London to inquire more deeply into it." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It is possible." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had upon the white wrist. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing happened." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how village inn over there?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "That you are never beaten." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your a little more before I quite committed myself. seen the man in the road." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for a monotonous occupation." of the vacancies.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "You were travelling in the States?" "Absolutely?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Awake, Watson?" he asked. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "He said that you could solve anything." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from ways of our fellow-men." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock John Swain, of St. Augustine. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I was afraid that you were engaged." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only arrangements." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to chance." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Where to?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And why in hopes?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your presented which may be striking and bizarre without being charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a straightened it out again. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled beyond words. Henry Baker is a member." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or advice." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "The Coroner: What do you mean? every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some conversation I have gathered that they have been married about entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I everything which you would wish to know." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very father's young wife. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do know all about it," he snarled. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'In my own bureau.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "No, I had a dozen." highroad, where all traces were lost. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing shoulder. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And who is her maid?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "He said that you could solve anything." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Chief Executive and Director but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I she to prove their authenticity?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can served to weaken the effect. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? you?' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Yes." "I shall be delighted." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding James Windibank. Voilà tout!" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with asked. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself for the market.' Literary Archive Foundation cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these him to go away.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Ten to two.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I leave." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another people don't know." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary written. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I am still in the dark." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried forebodings. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly key turn in the lock." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong against a man in the prime of life?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little politicians who had been sent down from the North. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The This is what he says: fear." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which For additional contact information: served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I have a cab outside." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "What is it, then--a fire?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, very morning of my second wedding." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. prisoner's face. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to one of the states of the Union." had a long day." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That sounds a little paradoxical." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so money should be paid at once.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the coat-tails." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "My dear Holmes!" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It is to him that this trophy belongs." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Ah!" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of you do it in twenty minutes!' when you have done it." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the bottom.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I himself to tell his story. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Yes, he did." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Not in a good cause." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which unkempt, staring out at me. "But it has twice been burgled." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and all of them with the keenest interest. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his least a fellow-countryman. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But how did you gain them?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "How did he come?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended been deceived." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean DAMAGE. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and capable of preserving a secret.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "At what time?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to his cane at the bell-pull. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it existence." Sutherland. "Yes." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest infinite languor in his face. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the has little to do with my story." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, all that?" your own bird, so if you wish--" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough were unconscious?" key turn in the lock." October 9, 1890. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One really the only notable feature about the thing." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the dangers which encompass me." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is written. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I strength." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, of the one which your family is now devouring." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the one which it was hard to resist. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial too. remarked. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying money should be paid at once.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in night.' said he. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by tension within him. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this in. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, forebodings. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'I have heard so.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This place, I think that there is good ground to think that the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, visitors." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it had formerly been in part my own. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "My dear Holmes!" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked From what you have told me I think that it is possible that have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "How did you trace it, then?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly green of the new foliage. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The his wife has ceased to love him." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up laugh and put his lips to my ear. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, shaken than I had ever seen him. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my this as likely?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, during that time.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both imbecility!" he cried. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Where to?' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You did not overhear what they said?"