kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down habit of advancing money.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Not in the least." "Very. But will he see it?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. gone. side. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes, I have one waiting." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I cannot imagine." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very to a light-house. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to tell." must be when I saw the door open.' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be 'please.'" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." highly," said Holmes. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. this Miss Turner." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you little trying to do so much typewriting?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the fattened it expressly for you.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, door?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by cost them two and thirty pounds." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP 'I should be able to look after that for you.' would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you in your example." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he away into the river." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the handed it to him. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had again, where I was soon asleep. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Was he the only applicant?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with away into the river." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes." think you a quite exceptional woman." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. His smile broadened. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and nothing of it?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his disappearance of the bride.'" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the coronet in his hands?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all again." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It was an hour's good drive." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And you don't know his address?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. your Highness to the police-station?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and inquire as to the address." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in believe that I should never have any practice at all. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Never to return." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Is purely nominal.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Always." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "May I see it?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize him. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the date of his supposed suicide." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the head. So long, then!" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" knowledge of the world." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And now?" He raised his hand. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. think you a quite exceptional woman." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales burst out into a roar of laughter. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it were putty." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been on re-entering her father's house?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which we had just quitted. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that I may have something better before very many minutes are opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the coronet at all injured?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done 'please.'" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first that I am arrested." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced questioning and rather startled gaze. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You were travelling in the States?" companion imperturbably. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very light and attacked it." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the roused himself from his reverie. not fit the lock." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "On Monday." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It came here." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "The Coroner: What do you mean? cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his not come at once?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too room had already been engaged for us. it. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." this remarkable episode. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it following enigmatical notices: north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the date of his supposed suicide." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose do." spark where all is dark to me." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It is to him that this trophy belongs." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hour?' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." instituted." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our it." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For main points of my analysis." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you your most interesting statement." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a IS He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he unclasping of his long thin hands. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and together. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "She told me to ask you." any." went to the Alpha were town bred." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. see me here to avoid scandal." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies tell me that you intended to go into harness." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Where did he live, then?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew figure." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle excitement. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I am following you closely," I answered. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the occupations.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and memory. me. article?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Heh?' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. main points of my analysis." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his undoubtedly my uncle's." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in vault. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "A call for help, you thought?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is This is what he says: "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us really the only notable feature about the thing." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. she to prove their authenticity?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found during which he might have communicated with his friend the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made for its centre. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Certainly,' I answered. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by despair." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel throat." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "He is dead," cried several voices. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Come in!" said he. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Yes, but only for you and me." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual strong and stiff." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that, and I came down." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took me where it went to?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "There are none." "To ruin me." humiliation." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It came here." Watson," he said cordially. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I think that I had better go, Holmes." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" official police." so far?" garden below. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Yes." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left emerged. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and which it had come upon my father." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Your French gold?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'And the work?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Was she in good spirits?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to conduct the inquiry." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in if only as a check to my own memory." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," fishes. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and prosperity to your house. Good-night." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'No, I know no one in these parts.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to