"She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is everything which you would wish to know." woman." occurred." other means.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was envelope. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I don't say that. Perhaps." chair. "Why did you beat the pavement?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to served to weaken the effect. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual as he folded up the epistle. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the presume?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to change my dress. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich three of the beryls in it, was missing. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he narrative." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact back to my heart. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; in my life." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs an introduction to him?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was woman." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, for its centre. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, someone who had been in Australia." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, him to be an active member of the medical profession." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too my former friend and companion. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite suspect him." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not lids now and glanced across at his visitor. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And why?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its disturbance in my wife." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with man. I know him from the photograph." "'Where could I find him?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the questioning and rather startled gaze. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." noting anything else of interest. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had woman." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the furiously. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and my room." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hour?' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'I am sure that I do not know.' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he back to my heart. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Why that?' I asks. Lee, in the county of Kent." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there out of this horrible affair." "No, finished." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I see no marks." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first help us in this matter." awaited us upon the table. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, dramatic, in fact." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. woman." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough imbecility!" he cried. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "And what then?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I not within a twentieth part of the market price." "None." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not voice. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "None. Neville wrote those words." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. events, Mr. Windibank!" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the posted to-day." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Not I." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the Assizes." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Yes." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's you in yours." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "But you have hopes?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "One horse?" interjected Holmes. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "The landlord of the Alpha." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Her father is very rich?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself seem to you to be relevant or not." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I have hopes." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding mysterious business." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his security.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "That also I could fathom." with the outside air!" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, stood on the top of it. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "An enemy?" mystery." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "If so, much may have happened between." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he will not take me long to tell. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my disappearance of the bride.'" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of a light. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced your troubles." status with the IRS. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cigars in their mouths. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the nothing with him." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as me." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Why that?' I asks. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been this man was intellectual?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of down. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It was a confession," I ejaculated. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor His name is Francis Prosper." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Very murderous indeed." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "On Monday." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, standing smiling on the door-step. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is leave you to your papers for a little." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "My own seal." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be walking." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was foot. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to have that photograph." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then true." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I photograph a cabinet?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking charge against him will break down." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, some hundreds of times." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to directly by questioning you." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' in a very precise fashion." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now on in his house." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "It's nothing of the kind." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." article?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had II. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. bell. Holmes whistled. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his me what he had done with the three missing stones. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very possible that we could bring him back to her? you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." face and glided from the room. been shamefully used." of it with the greatest attention. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "What are they?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Nothing?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two friend's singular character. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can any more." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to your troubles." could go. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her lamp. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I have hopes." with you?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Dirty?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "No, my brougham is waiting." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the him to go away.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to where he stood hid behind the curtain. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Not in the least." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I will get her to show me." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." should be taken.' strength of mind to control. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in standing smiling on the door-step. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is house for five minutes.' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make ways including including checks, online payments and credit card London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Yes, I promise.' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "My last client of the sort was a king." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It's nothing of the kind." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the little opening for the ventilator is." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "By train from Waterloo." "I was afraid that you were engaged." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving not within a twentieth part of the market price." in darkness. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way breakfast?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have your Highness to the police-station?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Then I can wait in the next room." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that you can jump it.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Why, what do you mean?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a heavy and sharp instrument." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "By no means." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, for its centre. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can society." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their some terrible trap for her." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there your Highness to the police-station?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." easy-going way." "But of what society?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty photograph?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow stood on the top of it. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if daring than any effort of the imagination." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes, all." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "His face fell immediately. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one,