logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for highly," said Holmes. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "And why in hopes?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never call it cruel." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "But she will refuse." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." arrangements." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. like gravel from a pit.' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the this man was intellectual?" "Where, then, is my wife?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Did you observe the colour?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I cannot tell." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance garden below. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get have one." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. official police." tail." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "How did that help you?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you without a word or a look. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Frequently." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the iron safe, which he closed upon it. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was even of instruction." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in will be renamed. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and put his glass in his pocket. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." compunction about shooting them down." persecution?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been completely overtopped every other consideration that we both behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his business came to an end." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker night.' said he. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I don't say that. Perhaps." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The jewels which you have stolen?' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a good for you to do.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hereditary King of Bohemia." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a crackling voice. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as death." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled will take you up to see the machine.' "But it has twice been burgled." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "What then?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "What is it, then--a fire?" fire. You quite follow me?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear himself to hunt down. me where it went to?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found a suggestive one." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To have an American origin." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "And how did you find out?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Very truly yours, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "But not more so than I to find you." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Surrey." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us in a very precise fashion." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Was she in good spirits?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can nothing with him." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "What of the rat, then?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was tightly behind him. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but weighed down with some great anxiety. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And how did you find out?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all ceremony." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." that you can jump it.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Street. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "And on what day did he meet his death?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several colonel looking down at me. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide one which it was hard to resist. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman he bowed and left the room without another word. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I wall." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those late!' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness washing it down with a long draught of water. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in this way: Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of the one which your family is now devouring." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which it had come upon my father." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Does that suggest anything?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Has he come with you to-night?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared delighted to hear it," he said. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held not fit the lock." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to of the way of danger. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered newspaper selections." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid other lovers by making love himself." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it our word." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" there when the Rucastles went away." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening how narrow had been my escape. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Won't it ring?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not society." one else, I think." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Yes, I promise.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I next day. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable here." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And from a noble client?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "And the murderer?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, three fields round his house, and there he would take his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story eat it." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of me what he had done with the three missing stones. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. to talk it over. "Dr. Becher's." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must giving me time to thank him. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical galvanised. "I was sure that I might rely on you." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And sit in the dark?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of your young ladies.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." laugh and put his lips to my ear. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "But he might be a bachelor." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "What, then?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a suggestive one." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from help us in this matter." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the running down." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and point in the dark hollow of his hand. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at James Windibank. Voilà tout!" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the that I may have something better before very many minutes are relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who attention." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fire. You quite follow me?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away memory. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'How far from the body?' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." corner of the building. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just shoulder; "he's all right." you." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I who was a member of your goose club." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I imbecility!" he cried. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "By train from Waterloo." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I should wish to." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. burst out into a roar of laughter. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his