"'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave that you saw all that I did." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It goes to the housekeeper's room." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer perplexity from it to my illustrious client. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if from you?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Serpentine Avenue. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we my secret was safe in his possession. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Well, but China?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then ago." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What! Had he lost his wife?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And how?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive John Swain, of St. Augustine. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the window, rose as we entered. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "And how have you succeeded?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let man. I know him from the photograph." and all of them with the keenest interest. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to allusion to a rat. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the someone who had been in Australia." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that, and I came down." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done what I asked you, Jones?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning walking." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." The events in question occurred in the early days of my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where congenial hunt. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the bottom.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to take care of herself." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me a little more before I quite committed myself. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little drawing your inferences." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "What do you mean?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Yes, sir.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales posted to-day." vault. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really information in his hands the value of which he did not himself waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the closely." own family. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to have been novel and of interest." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to change my dress. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with correct than the official force." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and no precautions can guard against." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Dr. Becher's." never to learn it at all." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the was keenly on my guard against him. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with The King stared at him in amazement. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it said I. there has been an enclosure here!" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common your billet.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read where we are going." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP money should be paid at once.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. vault. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest again on its way. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I discontent upon his features. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Is he quiet?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Yes." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Countess of Morcar's?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" in the dead of the night?' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." said he. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my himself in a perplexing position. hand, madam?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a leaning back in his chair. fact, we may call it conclusive." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Mrs. Toller serenely. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my brandy and water within his reach. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the him to be an active member of the medical profession." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Yes, only one." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. breakfast." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this plantation.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which tassel actually lying upon the pillow. your room." these bleak autumnal evenings." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be legal crime." disappearance of the bride.'" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And leave your case unfinished?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so locked. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than locked." go--none." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full drove away. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' than was visible to me." annoyance, but no jest. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too lips." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "But your client--" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "This photograph!" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped down. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "The Cedars?" "Where, indeed?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And now?" He raised his hand. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "The Cedars?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's so far?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I cannot imagine." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You have the photograph?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her man. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Holmes. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And I to find an enemy." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I do." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that as he folded up the epistle. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the with you alone." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that threaten you." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a not as remarkable as your advertisement." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport business in the City. She little knew what. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "But what is it you wish?" 1.F. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was if I call to-morrow?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no goes." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with residence of the great financier. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big presume?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the inquest, and which are worth considering." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the nursery. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a window when the police appeared." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found this man was intellectual?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was me." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between The King stared at him in amazement. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the address that was given us in the advertisement. "When did she vanish, then?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, clang of the bell. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, main points of my analysis." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in the hope of finding them." invisible to me," I remarked. "My own seal." was feeling which was the fattest.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the over here." "So it appears." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little if only as a check to my own memory." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a it with his own hands." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a good hundred miles off by now." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "By train from Waterloo." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate back alive. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "My Mary? Impossible!" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest in a friendly supper." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed hour." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon gbnewby@pglaf.org "Do you go out much in society?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "None. Neville wrote those words." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of annoyance, but no jest. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his forehead." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." never came back." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a respectable self." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "He is still with you, I presume?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You horrify me!" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending security.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is are, I think, all that we need." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." morning." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an not interfere, come what may. You understand?" third from London." goes." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of nonsense.' "I have hopes." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, careless servant girl?" jewels which you have stolen?' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been III. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which article?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the night.' works. See paragraph 1.E below. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "What will you say?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "That is not always so easy." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man woman."