cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And the murderer?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready brain must have something in it." I held the little printed slip to the light. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great shall use the carriage to-night." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with for and were ordered to this address. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and for securing the situation." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Sutherland?" and have this put in the evening papers." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Not at all. I only doubt--' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "But not more so than I to find you." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I empty. "He said too much." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It is solved." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent bearing upon the case." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but man. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And your father? Did you tell him?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to humiliation." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when dramatic, in fact." "How can you tell that?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his ready to-morrow?' "No." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "My dear Holmes!" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and laid it on the table. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient God! What an exposure! What can I do?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "And you don't know his address?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hopeless attempt at recovering them." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has me." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Arthur Conan Doyle "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "How did you deduce the select?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Then, how do you know?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of even of instruction." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear guilty parties." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a address. photograph a cabinet?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange enter into my head. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the delighted to hear it," he said. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Well?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Can I be of assistance?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel joking. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "What of the rat, then?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was feeling which was the fattest.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I have seen the police." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid money should be paid at once.' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an society." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He jewels which you have stolen?' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it stood on the top of it. "'How far from the body?' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Ten to two.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "What can it mean?" I gasped. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "What is it?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods too. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she strange features which were associated with the two crimes which The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "You are all wrong." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Of what day?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. key turn in the lock." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the Assizes." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You think so, too?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, were wasted." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Where could I find him?' leaning back in his chair. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the come either from the window or the door. My attention was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I that you can jump it.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, o'clock is it?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Pray do so." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to-night?" I asked. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the lost his Christmas dinner." that I am arrested." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and fatally injured? traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I shall most certainly do so." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "No, distinctly professional." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to your only hope of safety." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a three fields round his house, and there he would take his she might be summoned. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good this man was intellectual?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of throat." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no four million human beings all jostling each other within the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made business matters.' "And how did you find out?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the little opening for the ventilator is." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just later, upon the night of May 2nd." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Well, it is a possible supposition." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting will find little credit to be gained out of this case." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall again before evening." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Then you may entirely rely on me." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "VIOLET HUNTER." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the driver. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' them, and came down just as you departed. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted meant it for the best. them?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the room while you explain this matter?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was acted in my house last night?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted quite distinctive." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us is four-and-twenty." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' photograph a cabinet?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Never." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "But I have heard all that you have heard." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. despair." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the photograph?" records." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the electronic works said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that you wished to speak to me?' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wedding?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'In my own bureau.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were which was all perfectly true. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new thin, with a long, sharp nose?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Well, but China?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'What, the red-headed man?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "But who is he?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and it need not interfere very much with one's other might have a private word with us. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Yes, they were peculiar boots." outsides of the windows. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its