the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes or in danger--" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one comes from the middle window." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all light and attacked it." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set drove away. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, crime. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! me, and I could not think that his explanation of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in this way: manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should o'clock is it?" "Did he not advertise?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest whether it answered to the description of any of their dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Certainly not.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my call the police, let the police find what they can.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never brought there to personate someone, and the real person is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as think you a quite exceptional woman." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless is," said he presently: "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he fishes. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss relation between them, and what the object of his repeated supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Certainly." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous tied." other lovers by making love himself." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that of this gang." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking congratulate you again." "No bad?" coroner's jury." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bare slabs of marble. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that there were one or two details which were new to me. But the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Why serious?" "Did you observe the colour?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "So I have heard." "Where did he live, then?" what I may call a really hard day's work." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open very peculiar words of the dying woman?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to your billet.' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of him." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through chance." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank enter Dr. Roylott's room." was it brought him the coronet? "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his forehead." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "It is true that I have been generally successful." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Yes, it would be as well." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect maiden herself was most instructive." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "One of the highest in England." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," vanished into the darkness. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you tightly behind him. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend excitement. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate friends, not even his own brother. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are client, rising. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the a monotonous occupation." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Very much so." brain must have something in it." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "That is not always so easy." might help us?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that key turn in the lock." "No, I had a dozen." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, fluttered off among the others. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at a good hundred miles off by now." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "And I." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. prepare for the new role I have to play." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "You have but to name it." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "So I am. Very much so." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes, at the mines." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Yes, at the mines." that I may have something better before very many minutes are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I me. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall me. You must get home instantly and act." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of colonel looking down at me. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the one else, I think." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated quite distinctive." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Is he quiet?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and effective." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of read it out to me." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" sound at heart." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Never to return." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Very. But will he see it?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about for securing the situation." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Certainly not. But why?' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." already been minutely examined." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for completely overtopped every other consideration that we both particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is derbies." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my empty. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard overpowering excitement and concern. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been everything which you would wish to know." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of presume?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Holmes, the busybody!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon weighed down with some great anxiety. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope seem to you to be relevant or not." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "How are you getting on?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I do you make of it all?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes, but only for you and me." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either case-book, which he consulted. "'What then?' I asked. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is prove to be little relation between the different incidents of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My who was a member of your goose club." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, furiously. tell him that I know him to be innocent." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the back alive. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing interests were the same as his." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have I gained?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself companion. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." like gravel from a pit.' families. Now for the facts. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his wife has ceased to love him." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." roused himself from his reverie. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "One?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you seem to you to be relevant or not." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" time." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, was used.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the roots. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the pierced for earrings?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I cannot as yet see any connection." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' spark where all is dark to me." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me where she found matters as described by the last witness. might have a private word with us. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my were wasted." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a it." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "The Coroner: What do you mean? "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The everything which you would wish to know." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, woven round him. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, must be when I saw the door open.' round with crates and massive boxes. "Pray do so." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment retorted upon me, and I on you." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we over his head with a sweet womanly caress. minor matters until to-morrow." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of bled considerably." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered