"In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new detained." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "So I heard. You have him here?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or License. You must require such a user to return or in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring without a word or a look. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "No bad?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "A greater distance to travel." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his said he. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your acted in my house last night?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's better grown goose." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, if I call to-morrow?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the driver. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I promise," said Holmes. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes, from Horsham." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire been deceived." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that, and I came down." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done wife's character?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Who was the criminal, then?" "To ruin me." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "My stepfather's business papers." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and see me here to avoid scandal." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after fishes. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the driver. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and capable of preserving a secret.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Stolen, then." indeed happy." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "By no means." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the upon the white wrist. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My The summons was a brief and urgent one. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'I have heard so.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn call it cruel." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "It is a murder, then?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a article?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as McCarthy." morning." depend upon my doing so.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I should be immensely obliged to you." are, I think, all that we need." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Of Friday, June 19th." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could young Openshaw's." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Lee, in the county of Kent." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be down. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "The best possible." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast stalked out of the room. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair was lame." "What then?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked to a light-house. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and laid it on the table. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the figure." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And on what day did he meet his death?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Stoke Moran?" said he. "You are hungry," I remarked. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I strode off upon his way. look dissatisfied." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Perhaps I have." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have answer." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "By all means." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as should be taken.' "'Certainly not.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he you." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the you?' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'Why that?' I asks. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, the cause is excellent!" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I cannot imagine." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and wait." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Was there a secret marriage?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good conduct the inquiry." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the thin legs towards the fire. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Pray do so." "Yes." "Do you know him?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I guessed as much." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I am sure." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the few hundred pounds.' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at this as likely?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Ha! you find it so?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the coronet in his hands?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Stolen, then." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hereditary King of Bohemia." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door me where it went to?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what for its centre. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tassel actually lying upon the pillow. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. one which it was hard to resist. thin legs towards the fire. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed knowledge of the world." this as likely?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Pope's Court, Fleet Street." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile cigars in the box." some terrible trap for her." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, whether it answered to the description of any of their And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, My friend smiled. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Did he not advertise?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had a monotonous occupation." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "None." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Well, some hundreds of times." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been past. woman." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and unkempt, staring out at me. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime written, and locked the door of the office after me. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his begun to whiten, even as mine has." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the coroner come to?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I shall continue with my miserable story. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend case before our client came into the room." fuss that is made over them." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Where, then?" "And what did you learn from him?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of receipt of the work. "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Awake, Watson?" he asked. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and it need not interfere very much with one's other it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, closing the door. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "What! a murderous attack?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a conduct the inquiry." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Married! When?" fasten all the windows?" experiences." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he fatally injured? "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the best of training." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Oh, no.' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go sit on the left-hand side of the driver." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in attention." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no at a side door. bachelor.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Where, then?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp pound a week." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. asked with his eyes open. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "So it appears." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel."