"The vanishing of the lady." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, child?' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But of what society?" crime." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little case-book, which he consulted. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to here and I will read it to you: handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of them has the shutters up.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." II. go--none." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I am all attention, madam." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Have you her photograph?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "You have a clue?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. States. place of silver." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it I shall continue with my miserable story. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence down from London to inquire more deeply into it." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote brandy and water within his reach. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge extraordinary contortions. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And I." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his grey eyes. someone who had been in Australia." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some where she found matters as described by the last witness. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what he. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was like that before?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'I am sure that I do not know.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and here and I will read it to you: distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been absolutely follow my advice in every respect." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Yes." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' detective. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked brandy and water within his reach. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to-night?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. hurried by. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty late." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" have one." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. criminal. We have already had experience of such." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion what these perils are?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "In answer to an advertisement." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see families. Now for the facts. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "And you thought he was pulled back?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "This concluded the examination of the witness." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Do you receive much company?" he asked. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where companion. should be taken.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody will be renamed. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I answered that I had not. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked row." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that is," said he presently: on re-entering her father's house?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I know where it is." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I am in hopes that she does." the child." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Precisely." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hand, madam?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Only as much as we can deduce." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle second window is the one that I jumped from." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most suddenly upon us." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we crackling voice. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I assure you that I am in your hands." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the garden below. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'In my own bureau.' and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Countess of Morcar's?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "There are none." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "An enemy?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said just ask you whether you had heard it.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. absorbing." case-book, which he consulted. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and advice." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of gone. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Doctor, of the paper and the date." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you again, where I was soon asleep. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, his cane at the bell-pull. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney his eyes and forehead. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his jewels which you have stolen?' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the bottom.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to strong and stiff." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But chair. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Holmes' thin, eager face. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that carriage. It was a chestnut." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take maid will bring up your coffee." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' coat-tails." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over father's young wife. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Will you bet, then?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'How far from the body?' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Just look it up, then." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to affection." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but feature." advice." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And what then?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it call for protection in the marriage market, for the present room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes." and looked back. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in about. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very whatever might befall. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was husband's writing, madam." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he case-book, which he consulted. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between started for the Temple to see my husband. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were presume?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Not social, then?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for dates and names. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which are windows in it, of course?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, upon an income of about 60 pounds." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I do." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up digesting their breakfasts at home." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide soul! here is her carriage at the door." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "But you would not advise me to refuse?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." disappearance of the bride.'" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this meant it for the best. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Was the window open?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off night.' said he. morning." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that our word." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, cost them two and thirty pounds." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three fuss that is made over them." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, less than 26s. 4d. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to-morrow." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Upon what point?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of this poor creature." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Is he quiet?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. charge against him will break down." more terrible than the truth. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez morning." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five are, I think, all that we need." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "By train from Waterloo." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that should be so warm over such a trifle." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we works. See paragraph 1.E below. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You think so, too?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most point our research must commence, and we will begin it by extraordinary contortions.