11:15.' sound at heart." is four-and-twenty." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, following enigmatical notices: simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of business at Coburg Square is serious." as the one I chose?' "I was mad--insane." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE retorted upon me, and I on you." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. man. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of your bag." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could particular state visit http://pglaf.org American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and put his glass in his pocket. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Holmes' thin, eager face. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And did you observe any change in her then?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, of your young ladies.' some terrible trap for her." written. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. know all about it," he snarled. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had eat it." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this do.' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the best of training." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of colonel looking down at me. stood on the top of it. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the very letters. But what is this written above them?' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Married! When?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and one else, I think." "But how will you look?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'A dozen yards or so.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in back alive. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be my friend's incisive reasoning. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of the vacancies.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled done what I asked you, Jones?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "And did you observe any change in her then?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "And it is--" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yes." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I am to be neutral?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted entirely devoid of interest." way in." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "And how in the world did you find them?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' License. You must require such a user to return or "Yes, sir." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the little opening for the ventilator is." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think soul! here is her carriage at the door." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and had picked up in the wood. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No, but the enclosure is." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I again." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever you?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "How on earth--" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as pictures, libraries, or plate. the room while you explain this matter?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood indiscretion." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Was the window open?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with in this note: "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No good news?" open." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the roots. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with shall use the carriage to-night." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my prison!" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." money should be paid at once.' clanging. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" bears upon the case?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" burst out into a roar of laughter. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a it right.' it were putty." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Do you go out much in society?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party place no limit on the sum I may draw." becomes even more simple." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing swore that no one else had been in the front room during the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "But to whom?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Arthur Conan Doyle "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to giving me time to thank him. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal husband's writing, madam." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. purpose of examination. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "No." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may ways including including checks, online payments and credit card electronic works Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to me. chance." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Whose house is it?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "In which, sir?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. appeal." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and presented more singular features than that which was associated He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what rose-bushes. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental happened." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "But she could not love him." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "And on what day did he meet his death?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive be. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to talk it over. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Your presence might be invaluable." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "The knees of his trousers." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of Mr. Rucastle's." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the night.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "How do you know, then?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the woven round him. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Indeed! Whose, then?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "The doctor?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Only as much as we can deduce." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." a suggestive one." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him lectures into a series of tales." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Will you go?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "My Mary? Impossible!" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "And your mother is alive?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up started for the Temple to see my husband. man. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from believe that I should never have any practice at all. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It is half-past ten now." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'I have already given you my word.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Yes, all." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Yes." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I 11:15.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," visitors." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Where, indeed?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your whether it answered to the description of any of their being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural presented more singular features than that which was associated the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of way in." "And I say east," said my patient. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your there has been an enclosure here!" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. geese which you supplied to the Alpha."