"Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough an introduction to him?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very telegram would bring me down to your help." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fear." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and 'please.'" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove shall not find me ungrateful." never came back." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom other, as fresh and trim as possible. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was daring than any effort of the imagination." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Her father is very rich?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "What! a murderous attack?" that you saw all that I did." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Henry Baker is a member." Pope's Court. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "No?" seen the man in the road." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You have but to name it." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled bedroom door." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of once more to my work. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. eavesdroppers?' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third DISSOLVED. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He said too much." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able throat." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort question," said Holmes, smiling. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled depend upon your compliance." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in his hands." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I cannot as yet see any connection." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Nothing?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that green of the new foliage. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the side-table." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, gone. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. like gravel from a pit.' strong and stiff." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out flock.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "That was it, sir." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Why did you pick him?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "But what harm can there be in that?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was a loud and authoritative tap. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "How many? I don't know." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. kind enough to tell me what I should do." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that?' even so self-evident a thing as that." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good views." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "That also I could fathom." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "And help." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel such attractions and accomplishments?' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and front of me. were unconscious?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and overpowering excitement and concern. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "But you have hopes?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have photograph?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." shall not find me ungrateful." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. these bleak autumnal evenings." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal more terrible than the truth. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the coronet in his hand?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me kindly on the shoulder. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Who was the criminal, then?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then instincts rose up against that laugh. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't new acquaintance to Baker Street. security.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Proceed, then." nights." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Then let me do so?' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I don't believe it." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. over here." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It is his hat." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." touch that coronet?' my former friend and companion. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up geese which you supplied to the Alpha." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which was all perfectly true. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "What steps will you take?" I asked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute any little problem which you may submit to me." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is second." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What will you say?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the annoyance, but no jest. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "In San Francisco, a year ago." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," kindly on the shoulder. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. works. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of husband's writing, madam." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to you in yours." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And what did you see?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so cheerful." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the so-precious time, but come!' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an delirious. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as disappearance of these gems?" unkempt, staring out at me. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was a loud and authoritative tap. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and capable of preserving a secret.' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between your most interesting statement." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and glanced through. and that he would see to anything that turned up. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Entirely." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are note?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Breckinridge is his name." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in even so self-evident a thing as that." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I cannot imagine." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have criminal. We have already had experience of such." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Yes." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but upon the shelf for the interim." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will evidence," I remarked. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "But she will refuse." such person." bedroom door." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But it has twice been burgled." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, directors, with the result that you have seen." remarked. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it house for five minutes.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and no precautions can guard against." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely when you have done it." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the occurred." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Leadenhall Street--and--" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Will you go?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the that he has suffered." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in of your young ladies.' "Entirely." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next keep the flames under. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "And you don't know his address?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Deserted you?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Ten to two.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements answered with a sidelong glance. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Project Gutenberg-tm works. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "One of his hands." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I was mad--insane." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with fasten all the windows?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "How on earth--" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the morning." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "By train from Waterloo." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he place of silver." "Upon what point?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been with you alone." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court in a very precise fashion." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." girl said." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said straightened it out again. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." down. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Why that?' I asks. 1.F. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of whether it answered to the description of any of their drove away. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and that he would see to anything that turned up. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on arrested. You then--" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Come in!" said Holmes. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR jewels which you have stolen?' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an occurred." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the