were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence business in the City. She little knew what. gives a meaning to it." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the papers on the sundial.'" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." him!" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as DAMAGE. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the room while you explain this matter?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional that I can to serve you." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Upon what point?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived III. started for the Temple to see my husband. status with the IRS. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the enter Dr. Roylott's room." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off galvanised. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Stoke Moran?" said he. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at should be taken.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But you were on a friendly footing?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Munro.' as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, sparkled upon his finger. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the stones. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to this Miss Turner." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a man. who was a member of your goose club." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Really! You surprise me." leave you to your papers for a little." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from bedroom door." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." became a certainty. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. flock.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate these bleak autumnal evenings." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to know what is wrong with it.' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Ample.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "And Miss Sutherland?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a back alive. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Quite sure, dad.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the driver. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and held up the lantern and gazed about him. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I am all attention, madam." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Yes, sir." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send excitement. daring than any effort of the imagination." that you can jump it.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to that open window." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "And now?" I asked. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue there was no need for father to know." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and enter Dr. Roylott's room." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Watson," he said cordially. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It is no ordinary one." "It looks newer than the other things?" noting anything else of interest. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Yes." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I someone who had been in Australia." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. national property. I was determined that the law should have its course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him washing it down with a long draught of water. are windows in it, of course?" such attractions and accomplishments?' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I leave." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for open." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under bears upon the case?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm imbecility!" he cried. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Oh, no.' been with you?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that my little problems." of them has the shutters up.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What do you make of that, Watson?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and observed. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and disturbance in my wife." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "The gentleman I describe." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." giving me time to thank him. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there he bowed and left the room without another word. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" made his money." "Married! When?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "To the police?" "What can you not understand?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "But what harm can there be in that?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of over part of the map. "What do you read?" fashion which was peculiar to him. indeed happy." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The past. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'As governess?' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that seen the man in the road." "I do." the running down." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and breakfast?" "It certainly sounds feasible." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be retorted upon me, and I on you." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "It is possible." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to call you and give you the chance." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any but preventing her from injuring another. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." had died away into the silence from which it rose. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. this remarkable episode. evidence," I remarked. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that there was nothing in it, after all." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his enough to aid us in our search." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "The landlord of the Alpha." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "That is unusual in a young girl." enough to aid us in our search." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to any more." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, our word." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. had a long day." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the little opening for the ventilator is." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "It's nothing of the kind." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was shining brightly. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "And sit in the dark?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Not in a good cause." little trying to do so much typewriting?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "At the wedding breakfast." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he disturbance in my wife." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "What of the rat, then?" the room while you explain this matter?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Only as much as we can deduce." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done client, rising. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever for securing the situation." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that you saw all that I did." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the there!' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, leaning back in his chair. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." your Highness to the police-station?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You have but to name it." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced down in his armchair and closing his eyes. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "The King of Scandinavia." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as enough to aid us in our search." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'What then?' I asked. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As giving me time to thank him. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What do you make of that, Watson?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is been anything against him. He had for years been known as a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would waste of energy." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts go back?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. III. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young name is different." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Was the window open?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. out of this horrible affair." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes who was a member of your goose club." "One of the highest in England." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his bare slabs of marble. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from enough to aid us in our search." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the within hail.' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I shall most certainly do so." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was lame." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true